Baseball, softball kick off MYG Invitational

Action in baseball and softball starts today at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines grounds as the Manila Youth Games (MY Games), now national in scope and character for the first time in four years, comes off the wraps in various venues.

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and sons Kim and Ali, the organizing Manila Sports Council (Masco) chief, yesterday ushered in the week-long event open to all 17-year-old in-and-out-of-school youths at the San Andres Sports and Civic Center, confident of its successful staging.

"In line with out ‘Buhayin ang Maynila’ program, we have relentlessly pursued a thrust for the youth in the firm belief that sports and physical fitness play an important role in society," said Atienza.

Some 7,000 athletes, officials and representatives from all 897 barangays, six congressional districts and 130 public and private schools all over Manila attended the elaborate opening rites highlighted by a cheer-dance competition.

"We’re hoping that this could be a start of something big for this program," said Ali Atienza, a former SEA Games gold medallist in taekwondo.

Presented by Globe Telecoms and backed by Pagcor, San Miguel, PAL, Super Ferry, Milo, Unilever, Speedo, Red Bull, Land Bank, Isuzu Manila, Intrasports and Concept Movers, the event is staged to give the youth a sporting venue where they could hone their talent and skills.

"It has always been said that the youth is the hope of the nation and that’s why the capital city, together with all local government units supporting the event, is focusing on the youth by providing them with an endeavor that would guide them toward becoming assets of society," said the city’s Chief Executive.

After baseball and football, football unfurls tomorrow at the Luneta ballpark followed by the centerpiece track and field event set on Thursday at the University of Santo Tomas football field.

Swimming, on the other hand, starts on Friday at the Rizal Pool while taekwondo is set on Sunday at the San Andres Civic Center.