Big City Games unwraps

The fifth edition of the Manila Youth Games came off the wraps in elaborate rites yesterday with the city’s top and promising 17-and-under in-and-out of school youth athletes battling it out for sporting excellence in various fronts beginning today at the Rizal sports complex.

A whopping 89 gold medals will be staked in an action-packed Day 1, 59 in gymnastics and 30 in swimming. Action also starts in badminton and table tennis, also at the decades-old venue while hostilities in volleyball commence at the San Andres Gym and Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

First Gentleman Mike Arroyo ushered in the annual multi-sports meet participated in by thousands of athletes from all 897 barangays, six districts and 130 public and private schools all over the city.

Games and Amusement Board chair Eric Buhain, Philippine Sports commissioner Joey Mundo and officials of various NSAs (national sports associations) also graced the opening rites.

The week-long event is presented by Converse and supported by the PSC, Pagcor, San Miguel Corp., Super Ferry, Montana Pawnshop, Globe Telecoms, Milo, Air21, IntrASports, and Concept MOVERS.

Legendary coach Virgilio "Baby" Dalupan and Eduardo Pacheco, the first of only two Filipino athletes voted as "Mr. Football" and "Mr. Basketball" by the Philippine Sportswriters Association respectively, were awarded plaques of recognition for their achievements.

Songs and dances filled the stadium with a cheering competition, acrobatic show, and taekwondo demonstration highlighting the inaugurals. — Joey Villar