Manila Games lures huge turnout

Organizers of the first Manila Youth Games (MYG) are amazed about the enthusiasm stirred by the inaugural Big City games that a week before opening day on Sunday, the Manila Sports Council (MASCO) already smells the success of its pet program.

"The turnout is really amazing. Right from the early days when the registry books were opened, we started to anticipate a big turnout," said Arnold "Ali" Atienza, chairman of the MASCO, Manila City Hall’s sports arm.

Practically, all 100 barangay zones in the six congressional districts of Manila are well represented in the MYG, which will have the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex as the main hub of competitions with the nearby San Andres Gym as satellite venue.

Over 250 teams consisting of at least 2,500 athletes were listed before the Lenten break, an indication, Atienza said, that Manileños are aware about the importance of sport and physical fitness.

"This is an indication that Manila is really into sports. This should certainly complement our Buhayin ang Maynila program," Mayor Lito Atienza said.

The MYG, which has gained the backing of the Philippine Sports Commission, Pagcor, WG&A Super Ferry, Smart Communications, Peak Taekwondo Equipment, Victor Sports, and PC-One Computers, caters to kids aged 12 and below, the same age group prescribed by the Philippine National Youth Games-Batang Pinoy.

Manila, with a token contingent of 44 ahtletes, ran away with the overall crown of the Batang Pinoy’s third edition last December in Bacolod, an achievement that helped spur city hall to hold its own under-12 sports development program.

Besides youth, the MASCO has also put premium on sports that could potentially provide initial steps to producing Filipino world champions.