The Philippine Youth Games, Batang Pinoy 2019 national championships gathered approximately 10,000 delegates at Raul V. Mitra Complex in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, representing some 200 local government units from all over the country, who will take part in 31 sporting activities.
In an inspirational message during the opening ceremonies of the Batang Pinoy 2019 national championships, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones stressed the need to establish sports as a profession.
She also expressed the Department’s desire to train professionally both coaches and athletes since there is a very small percentage of learners who choose sports as a Senior High School track.
“You can look forward to the time when talagang mag-specialize kayo sa sports, magkaroon kayo ng degree. At darating ang panahon na madagdagan ang ating mga sports champions at sports heroes, hindi lamang sa ating bansa, kundi sa Asian region, at sa buong mundo,” Briones said.
“Ang sports ay hindi lamang physical, kundi strategic. It takes a lot of planning, and it is also very scientific,” she added.
She also gave special mention to the delegation from the Municipality of Talaingod in Davao del Norte.
“Kung nakarating kayo dito sa Puerto Princesa, nakarating din ako sa Talaingod, sa pinakamalayo ninyong bundok,” Briones said, referring to her visit some weeks back when she talked to the founder and leader of the Salugpongan Ta’ Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center, Inc. about the situation of learners in their locality.
Talaingod’s delegation from Sto. Niño National High School will compete in the volleyball–girls’ category. The team’s coach, Bobby Sinco, acknowledged the all-out support of DepEd and the LGU.
“I’m very happy. It is a very powerful indication that the children of Talaingod are involved even in national activities,” the Secretary concluded.
Briones also said that the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) plan to build the Philippine Sports Academy through the initiative of its Chairperson William Ramirez.
The gates of Batang Pinoy are also open to out-of-school youth.
