PSC to expand sports program

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – After drawing President Aquino’s all-out support for the country’s elite sports, the Philippine Sports Commission yesterday reiterated its desire to strengthen its grassroots development program.

“We want to get our youth to get more involved in sports and one of the first steps we’ll take is the expansion of the Batang Pinoy,” said PSC chair Richie Garcia, who graced the Palarong Pambansa inaugurals along with the Chief Executive, sports commissioner Jolly Gomez and Philippine Olympic Committee president Peping Cojuangco Jr.

The expansion of the Batang Pinoy, a multi-sports meet for students and out-of-school kids aged 12-16 years old which was revived last year in Naga City, would mean there will be more regional eliminations, according to Cojuangco.

“The need for an expansion is in line with the International Olympic Committee’s Youth Olympics as well as getting more of our children to take up sports,” said the former Tarlac Congressman.