Pangasinan to Host Batang Pinoy 2012’s Northern Luzon Leg on Oct. 10-13

Lingayen- - -“A much improved and better version of a regional qualifying elimination for Batang Pinoy 2012 is set to happen in Pangasinan.”

This was said by Provincial Administrator Rafael M. Baraan during a special meeting on the hosting of this year’s edition of the Northern Luzon Leg with various local government unit heads held August 23 at the Provincial Training and Development Center here.

Baraan said that the province will try to work on what has to be improved to present a better version of hosting just like what happened in last summer’s holding of Palarong Pambansa, the biggest sporting event for the youth in the country.

The event which will be conducted on October 10 to 13 will be participated in by the best athletes aged 15 and below from Regions I, II, III and Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR).

Batang Pinoy program is an activity conducted by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and local government units (LGUs) to encourage sports awareness and participation of Filipino youths that will involve even the out-of-school children.

“This is a very good program for young athletes that even the out-of school youth can join being LGU-based,” the provincial administrator noted as he added that the province is contemplating on creating one solid team to represent Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, the province is set to hold elimination rounds on September 1 and 2 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) to pick up the best athletes that will come from various towns.

Dasol Mayor Noel Nacar expressed full support on the program as he said that they will field in their best tennis players. “Dito kasi nag-iexcel ang mga Dasolinians kaya dito kami papasok,” he cited.

Batang Pinoy has 11 various sports events which include arnis, archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, chess, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis and karatedo.

Last year, some Pangasinan athletes bagged gold and silver medals in swimming at the national finals held in Naga City.

Baguio City team was last year’s regional and national champion.