Puerto Princesa City placed 11th in the recently concluded Luzon Qualifying Leg of Batang Pinoy sports competition held in Ilagan City, Isabela from March 16 to 23.
Atty. Gregorio Austria, city sports director, said the team bagged 10 golds, seven silvers, and six bronze medals.
The medal haul of the delegation is a combination of the elementary and high school categories in arnis, swimming, archery and taekwondo competitions.
Austria said there were many offers for Puerto Princesa City to host national sports events following the rehabilitation of the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex in 2018.
“Natutuwa tayo sa naging resulta dahil out of 122 delegates ay nasa top 11 tayo, kunti lang tayo pero nakuha pa rin natin. Maliban d’yan, marami ang nagtatanong at marami ang may gusto na dito na ganapin ang mga national events. Unang-una ay malapit ang mga accommodations at compact ang ating playing venue,” he said.
The Batang Pinoy championship game was participated in by 122 other teams from different cities in the country.
Natalie Mendoza, one of the athletes in the swimming event, brought home a silver and a bronze medal.
Mendoza said aspiring players should train regularly and make it a habit even if there are no competitions.
“Tuloy-tuloy lang po sa pagtraining kahit wala pong competition dapat po lagi tayong magpractice para masanay ang katawan natin,” she said.
Meanwhile, Austria said the city government through the sports office will be offering free summer clinics for various sports events.
Austria encouraged young people to pursue and harness their athletic skills while studying which will help them to avoid vices.
“Dati na po natin itong programa kaya kung may mga anak kayo, apo, o kapatid kayo ay iparehistro na ninyo para imbes na malulong sa computer o kung saan-saan na bisyo. Nandito ang city sports para tumulong sa mga bata,” he added.
