Batang Pinoy qualifier reaches Baguio

MANILA, Philippines - The Batang Pinoy 2011 holds its qualifying round in Baguio City tomorrow with student-athletes from Northern, Central Luzon and Cordillera Autonomous Region clashing for berths in the national finals.

The event is tipped to lure a big field after the Philippine Sports Commission decided to open the games to all athletes 15 years old and below.

“We decided to open the Batang Pinoy to all student athletes, associations and clubs as long as they are endorsed by their local government units because of the growing response to join tournament,” said sports commissioner Jolly Gomez.

Batang Pinoy 2011 overall program coordinator Annie Ruiz said they are expecting more than 1,000 participants.

Meanwhile, the opening rites will be held today with Baguio City Mayor Mario Domogan as guest of honor and speaker.

The first two legs of the games, held in partnership with Smart, Maynilad and Summit Natural Drinking Water, were held in Zamboanga City for the Mindanao elims and in Dumaguete City for the Visayas qualifiers.

The gold medal winners of all five qualifying legs are qualified to compete in the Batang Pinoy 2011 national finals slated Dec. 10-13 in Naga City, Camarines Sur. Those who will shine in the national finals will be trained to represent the country in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.

The final two qualifying legs of Batang Pinoy 2011, backed by Milo, Jollibee, The British Council, Standard Insurance, Manila Bulletin, Negros Navigation-Super Ferry, Kids 3 Food Supplement at RELIV for Kids, will be held at the University of Makati on Nov. 2-Dec. 2 for the National Capital Region and Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Dec. 4-7 for Southern Luzon.

A total of 12 local government units took part in the Visayas leg with Cebu copping the overall championship with 52 gold medals. Bacolod placed second with 34 golds and Dumaguete City finished third with 27.

Twelve LGUs also vied in Zamboanga City led by the host city with 64 golds followed by Davao City (27), Davao Del Norte (18), General Santos City (13) and Dipolog City (11).