THE Mindanao leg of the 2019 Batang Pinoy went full blast on Sunday with Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez citing the importance of sports in achieving a lasting peace.
In a press conference at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum City in Davao del Norte, Ramirez said the ultimate goal of this multisport tourney for athletes 15 years old and below is to develop peace and camaraderie among children of Mindanao.
Close to 3,000 athletes from as far as Cotabato, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga are tipped to see action in this eight-day athletic conclave.
They will vie in 20 sports where 729 gold, 729 silver and 1,063 bronze medals are at stake with the winners advancing to the national finals in October either in Tagbilaran City in Bohol or Ormoc City in Leyte.
Ramirez said he is glad to see these young athletes from various tribes, ethnicities and religions coming together not only to compete, but also to develop friendship and camaraderie.
“If children can play together without the biases of who they are, then achieving peace is very possible,” said Ramirez, who was given a marching order by no less than President Duterte to make sports accessible to everyone, especially to children in far-flung areas.
“Peacemaking is vital to our country. This is not about championship or gold medals; this is about our children and how they can embrace unity, peace and tolerance without any bias.”
Also in attendance during the press briefing held hours before the opening ceremony were Davao del Norte Gov. Anthony del Rosario, Batang Pinoy head of secretariat Teresito Fortaleza and Davao del Norte chief on youth and sports development Giovanni Gulanes, who made an assurance that the eight-day sports festivity will be safe for thousands of delegates.
In fact, they are in close coordination with uniformed personnel to make sure that there will be no untoward incident following the twin bombing in Jolo last week.
“The PNP [Philippine National Police] and AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] are already in heightened alert,” Gulanes said. “We will implement tight security measures not only in competition venues, but also in all choke points and billeting areas of our delegates. Everything is under control as far as security is concerned.”
A total of 18 sports, including medal rich archery, karatedo, taekwondo and pencak silat, will come off the wraps on Monday in various venues around the city.