Batang Pinoy ace cracks national team

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Sports Commission’s Batang Pinoy has succeeded in its core goal of producing national athletes.

That’s at least as far as track and field is concerned.

Edward Kho, secretary-general of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, said the best performers in the sport in Batang Pinoy would be seriously considered for national youth team inclusion.

“Shortlisted athletes from the Batang Pinoy athletics competition will be included for the Philippine selection to compete at the fourth Asian Youth Athletics Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on April 27-30, 2023,” said Kho, who was with PATAFA president Terry Capistrano on the sidelines of the Batang Pinoy track meet.

And the first to make the squad was Masbate wunderkind Leonelyn Compuesto, who swept all five sprint gold medals to become the most be-medalled Vigan Games track athlete.

Compuesto, 15, was a cut above the rest in capturing mints in 100 meters, 200m, 400m as well as the 4x100m and 4x400m relays where she was the anchor of Masbate’s version of the “Fantastic Four” including Realyn Lanuza, Jesalyn Materdan and Alessandra Nicole Capellan.

“National team na po ako,” Compuesto told The STAR.

And just like her idol, the late great Lydia de Vega-Mercado, Compuesto is ready when destiny comes calling.