MANILA – With just under three weeks to go before the 2024 Batang Pinoy, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has confirmed that all preparations are in the final stages for the highly anticipated event.

Scheduled from November 23-28 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, the grassroots sports competition will bring together around 12,000 young athletes from across the country.

During a forum hosted by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) on November 5, PSC Executive Director Paolo Tatad reassured attendees that only minor details remain as the PSC fine-tunes its plans for the event, which serves as the nation’s premier youth sports tournament.

“We’ve completed most of the planning and coordination. Now we’re just ironing out the final details. We’re in the finish line of our preparations,” Tatad said.

The event, which will feature 30 sports, will see athletes aged 12-17 years compete for a total of 1,554 gold medals. The tournament marks the 25th anniversary of Batang Pinoy, which was first held in 1999.

Delegation and Event Logistics

Delegation registration meetings for local government units (LGUs) from the Visayas and Mindanao will run through November 7, following successful coordination with LGUs from Luzon and the National Capital Region (NCR) last week. A total of 177 LGUs are expected to send participants, with an additional 1,000 technical officials involved in the event.

Delegates will be accommodated in 29 different schools across Puerto Princesa, which have the capacity to house up to 15,000 people. A team of 650 volunteers has also been recruited to assist with event operations.

New Sports and Exciting Additions

Tatad highlighted several exciting developments for this year’s event, including the return of soft tennis and the elevation of obstacle sports from a demonstration event to a regular competition. Other new sports featured include jiu-jitsu and kurash, both making their debut in Batang Pinoy.

The competition will be divided into three age categories: 12-13 years, 14-15 years, and 16-17 years. Athletes will compete in a wide range of events across all the accredited sports.

Tatad also confirmed that while gymnastics will remain part of the event, its competitions will be held in Manila, rather than Puerto Princesa.

Gratitude to Local Hosts

Tatad expressed his appreciation to the local government of Puerto Princesa City, recognizing the city’s long history of hosting successful sporting events. “Palawan is not new when it comes to hosting sports tournaments, and we’re grateful for their support in hosting Batang Pinoy,” he remarked.

Following Batang Pinoy, Palawan will also host the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games from December 1-5, further solidifying its role as a key destination for national and international sporting events.

Looking Ahead: A Legacy of Youth Sports Development

“Batang Pinoy is here to stay,” Tatad emphasized. “It’s a program that not only exposes young athletes to competition but also provides them with the platform to showcase their talents. As long as the PSC is here, Batang Pinoy will continue to thrive, supported by local governments, families, and most importantly, our young athletes.”

The event’s staging in Puerto Princesa is a fitting celebration of Batang Pinoy’s silver anniversary, underscoring the program’s long-term impact on sports development for the youth of the Philippines.

ia/mnm