Batang Pinoy 4th qualifier under way in Makati

MANILA, Philippines - The Batang Pinoy Games series resumes today with the staging of the fourth qualifying leg at the University of Makati with berths in the national finals at stake at the UMAK track oval.

Student athletes from host city Makati, Parañaque, Pasay, Pateros, Marikina, Manila, Malabon, Mandaluyong and Valenzuela see action in 12 events to be disputed in the five-day sportsfest sponsored by Smart, Maynilad, Summit Mineral Drinking Water, and supported by Milo, Jollibee, Growee, Standard Insurance, The British Council, Manila Bulletin, Negros Navigation-Superferry, and RELIV Now for Kids.

The first three elims were held in Zamboanga, Dumaguete and Baguio with the gold and silver medalists, except in tennis, earning slots to the national finals slated Dec. 10-13 in Naga City.

Meanwhile, sports commissioner Jolly Gomez also took the opportunity in the past legs to talk to the different competing delegation heads about the sports development programs and concerns in their respective areas to help the Philippine Sports Commission plan a more responsive program to address these concerns which revolve around the need for financial support for sports programs, facilities and equipment, and level of coaches.

“We will discuss all these concerns at our 2012 Sports Summit and what we got so far are very informative and helpful to us,” said Gomez.

“The delegates were also updated for next year’s Batang Pinoy schedules and venues so that the LGU’s can prepare earlier and our partnership with both the Department of Education and the different LGU’s is definitely helping all of us achieve common goals in our grassroots sports development program,” he added.