Manila Youth Games kicks off May 23

With its theme: "Manila Sports, Kasali Ka!", the finest and potent 15-under athletes from the Big City will again gather at the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex for spirited competitions as the staging of the 3rd Manila Youth Games (MY Games) get going from May 23-30.

This was announced yesterday by Arnold "Ali" Atienza, chief of the organizing Manila Sports Council (MASCO), during a general technical meeting at the Seafood Wharf attended by officials with the expertise on children-athletes of elementary school age.

Atienza said a colorful opening ceremonies, highlighted by a cheering competition among the city’s college and university squads, will usher in the week-long multi-event competition that is expected to put together over 8,000 children-athletes who will vie in 14 sports.

"We envision the 3rd MY Games to kick off another chapter in Manila’s sports history," said Atienza, son of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza. "We aim to stir the consciousness of the elders of the City of Manila to involve their children in sports and physical fitness as we hope to discover fresh athletic talents."

Practically, all 897 barangays and 130 public and private schools in the country’s premiere city will be well represented in the games, which has in its calendar athletics, badminton, baseball, chess, dancesports, football, gymnastics, softball, swimming, table tennis, lawn tennis, taekwondo, volleyball and paralympics.

"Through the MY Games, we hope that we are fulfilling our contribution to the national sports development agenda, while providing Manila’s youth a wholesome endeavor that will help mold them as assets of society," said Mayor Atienza.

"We hope that the effort of Manila would inspire other local governments to come up with their own program in line with President Arroyo’s thrust for a strong republic," the Mayor added.

The 3rd MY Games is a vital part of the city’s Buhayin ang Maynila program and Manila’s domination of the 2001 Philippine National Youth Games–Batang Pinoy in Bacolod City inspired city hall to start its own sports development program for children-athletes.

Last year’s edition of the games saw the rise of young sports potentials, such as 5-gold medal winners Antonio Mendenilla, Analyn Ricalde, and Joy Regillas in athletics. Swimming’s Mikee Bartolome, Judith Elizah Cruz and Thessa Paula Alcantara, and gymastic’s Rachelyn Astillar.

Other outstanding performers were 4-gold medal winners Daryll Ceballos in athletics, swimming’s Johansen Aguilar and gymnastic’s Magie Wagan, Rizza Desiree Garcia and Bleau Berry Gulfan.