Batang Pinoy on in Laguna

MANILA, Philippines - The final batch of qualifiers who will compete in the 2011 Batang Pinoy National Finals next week will be known starting today with the unfolding of the Southern Tagalog qualifying tournament at the different venues in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Main stadium of the four-day tournament organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and supported by Milo, Jollibee, The British Council, Standard Insurance, Negros Navigation-Super Ferry, Kids 3 Food Supplement, RELIV Now for Kids and Growee Multivitamins, is the Laguna Sports Complex which will host centerpiece events athletics and swimming.

Archery and 3-on-3 basketball will also be played at the complex while boxing, badminton, chess, judo, wrestling, table tennis, taekwondo, lawn tennis and weightlifting are other events to be disputed in the fifth and final regional qualifying event in this LGU-based grassroots program for 15-years-and-below athletes.

Gold and silver medalists in all sports except in lawn tennis will join qualifiers from Mindanao, Visayas, Northern Luzon and NCR in the National Finals slated Dec. 10-13 at Naga City.

A simple opening ceremony was held yesterday afternoon with Gov. ER Ejercito joining PSC officials led by commissioners Jolly Gomez and Chito Loyzaga.

The hosting marks the return of Batang Pinoy to Laguna after a decade since the province hosted the Batang Pinoy National Championships in 2001 with Southern Tagalog bagging the overall title.

Laguna is making a strong bid to win majority if not all the gold medals at stake by fielding in a 176-strong contingnent that will compete in all events except in judo.

“There are some areas where we need to develop our athletes and one of them is judo. Hopefully, we will be fielding in a complete team next year,” said Albert Abarquez who sits as the province sports development head.

Abarquez met the technical officials and the delegation heads during the Solidarity meeting yesterday morning and stressed the province readiness to host a successful tournament.

 “The tournament may be short but Governor Ejercito is doing everything to make sure that all delegations will have a comfortable stay,” added Abarquez.

The visitors tasted Laguna’s hospitality right on their first night as they were treated with a cultural show and serenaded with songs from different choral groups alongside sumptuous food that highlighted the Governor’s Night.