Prov’l athletes to compete at Batang Pinoy finals

By Cherry Joy D. Garma

LAOAG CITY, August 28 (PIA) – – Some athletes of Ilocos Norte will compete in the Batang Pinoy finals in Baguio City this September.

According to Ilocos Norte Sports Development Council (INSDC) Consultant Favio Bartolome, the multi-sport is an annual competition designed for the Filipino youth.

“Batang Pinoy is for the Filipino youth and out-of-school youth (OSY) aged 15 years and below,” said Bartolome.

Mathew Marcos Manotoc, senior board member and youth development advocate here, has welcomed the involvement of the Ilocano youth in the annual sports event.

“We should support sports events like this so that the Ilocano talents will be appraised and recognized by the national stage,” Manotoc said.

Instead of wasting their talent and time for other entertainment such as electronic games, Manotoc advocates engaging into active lifestyle through participating into different kinds of sports.

He also eyes for the rehabilitation of the Mariano Marcos Stadium to accommodate more athletes and national sports events in Ilocos Norte.

Meanwhile, to prepare the youth physically, the province has been putting up playground and fitness facility in all grade schools to encourage the children to exercise while still young. Sports scholarships are also available for qualified sports enthusiasts. (Cherry Joy D. Garma, PIA1-Ilocos Norte)