MANILA, Philippines – About 700 young gymnasts are expected to participate in the 9th STY International Gymnastics Championships next week, the Philippine Gymnastics and Athletics Academy (PGAA) said.
Local teams, as well as teams from Vietnam, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia have confirmed their participation in the event set from October 18-20 at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex.
According to PGAA STY Gymnastics and Sports Center head Normita Dimanlig-Ty, the event will see delegates from as far as Ifugao and Davao City, as well as Bataan, Bulacan, Bicol, Nueva Ecija, Cebu and Bacolod.
“The search for the next Carlos Yulo is on and as an organization formed more than a decade ago with a mission to help and train the underprivileged youth, we’re back and for the ninth year servicing the country with a tournament purely focused on the grassroots development,” Ty told reporters on Thursday.
Ty bared that they invited Olympic double gold medalist Carlos Yulo, through the Philippine Gymnastics Association, to participate in the event, which could “add luster to the event and inspire the young gymnasts.”
Among those expected to join is 12-year-old Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Avielle Caballes.
Caballes is among those who was granted free equipment use at the PGAA STY Center and training.
“Masaya po ako ang napasama ako sa mga tinuturuan ni coach Boots. Nagpapasalamat po ako sa tulong and paggabay nila sa akin at sa mga kasama ko,” she said.
“Magpupursige po ako na matuto at humusay para marating ko ang SEA Games and maka-Olympics tulad ng idol kong si Carlos Yulo,” she added.