Manila Youth Games unfolds today

Youth and the future of the young will take center stage today as the second Manila Youth (MY) Games unfurls at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Over 8,000 athletes, no older than 15 years, will gather at the half-century old complex to participate in the opening ceremony of Manila City Hall’s pet program designed to discover tomorrow’s sports greats.

"This is one of the endeavors Manila has in mind especially for the youth. But it is not only competition we are after, but we also hope to mold children into assets of society, as future sports heroes and leaders through sports," said Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.

A huge crowd composed of the country’s top sports officials, city hall luminaries, and representatives from all 897 barangays and 130 private and public schools in the big city are expected to troop to the stadium to witness the inaugurals of the second MY Games starting at 3 p.m.

Fourteen sports have been calendared in the MY Games.

"This is our goal, to come up with a major sports competition that would involve not only the kids but all Manileños. We foresee the success of the MY Games even before the first medals are won," said Arnold "Ali" Atienza, chairman of the organizing Manila Sports council.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Eric Buhain, guest of honor and keynote speaker, lauded the city government for its contribution to national grassroots sports development.

"It is one sports program that caters to the youth and we are very pleased that such events are being undertaken by a local government unit and we expect other LGUs to follow suit," Buhain said.

The free-to-the-public event, highlighted by the awarding of plaques of recognition to Manila’s very own sports greats, will feature a cheering competition and acrobatic show, coupled with songs, music and dances that will usher in the second MY Games, backed by the PSC, Pagcor, WG&A Super Ferry, Globe Telecoms, Victor Sports, and Pressworks.