LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, (PNA) — About 380 athletes and coaches of team Pangasinan arrived October 13 in Iba, Zambales to compete for the Batang Pinoy-Luzon cluster elimination games on October 15-19.
The participating athletes– 15 years old and below – went into a rigid week-long training sponsored by the provincial government at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) prior to their send-off ceremony Monday.
Some 307 athletes and 64 coaches of the team will vie for supremacy in 18 sporting events, which include: Arnis, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Boxing, Chess, Cycling, Karatedo, Lawn Tennis, Sepak Takraw, Softball, Swimming, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball (3/3) and Triathlon.
“Buo ang pagtitiwala ni Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. na magtatagumpay ang mga Batang Pinoy ng Pangasinan, (Gov. Espino has solid confidence of victory of the Batang Pinoy from Pangasinan,” Provincial Sports Director Modesto Operania said on behalf of the governor.
From an 18-ranked delegation in 2011 out of 111 participating LGUs nationwide, team Pangasinan notched 11th place in 2012. In in the Northern Luzon eliminations, Pangasinan ranked no. 5 in 2011 and no. 1 in 2012.
Team Pangasinan romped off with the over-all championship of the Batang Pinoy Northern Luzon leg that was participated in by hundreds of LGUs from Regions 1, 2, 3 and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) last year.
“We are expecting a more competitive fight this time with the participation of regions IV-A (CALABARZON), IV-B (MIMAROPA), V (Bicol) and National Capital Region (NCR), but we are confident that our athletes will make it,” Operania added.
Provincial Information Officer Orpheus Velasco, on the other hand, said that Gov. Espino would want the athletes to instill discipline among themselves during their stay in Zambales.
The athletes and coaches said in response that they will do their best shots and strive to covet a higher standing for team Pangasinan. “We will aspire to be one of the top five best teams in Bacolod,” the athletes said.
The formal opening ceremonies of the Batang Pinoy northern cluster will be held Tuesday, October 15.
Winners in the Luzon cluster games will advance in the national finals in Bacolod City in November.