VIGAN, Ilocos Sur – Kabuuang 6,000 atleta at opisyal mula sa 122 local government units sa bansa ang nakiisa sa opening ceremony ng Batang Pinoy Luzon Games sa President Elpidio Quirino Stadium dito.
Ikinagalak ni Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William I. Ramirez ang maayos at paghahanda ng host para masiguro ang matagumpay na pagsasagawa ng grassroots sports program ng pamahalaan.
“It’s just a coincidence that Vigan will be able to have some practice of hosting of the Batang Pinoy regional games,” pahayag ni Ramirez. “I think Governor Ryan (Singson) will do a very good job of hosting the Luzon Leg of the Batang Pinoy,” sambit ni Ramirez sa mensaheng binasa ni PSC Commissioner Charles Maxey.
Bukod kay Ramirez, panauhin din sina PSC Commissioners Mon Fernandez, Charles Maxey at Arnold Agustin, gayundin sina Provincial sports coordinator Marius Cabudol at Department of Education (Deped) Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali. Hindi nakadalo si Ramirez dahil sa pagdalo sa isa pang importanteng pulong.
Goodbye PBA? John Amores, tinanggalan na ng professional license!
Dumating din sa opening ceremony sina Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis V. Singson, Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” Romualdez Marcos, Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino III, La Union Governor Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III, at Vigan City Mayor Juan Carlo S. Medina.
Pinangunahan nina table tennis gold medalist Wrency Abad at Batang Pinoy medalist Ralf Justine A. Chan ang torch relay at oath of sportsmanship.
Lalaruin ang 19 sports events na pormal na magsisimula ngayon sa mga venues na archery (San Ildefonso Central School); arnis (Pantay Daya covered cour)t; athletics (Pres. Elpedio Quirino Stadium); badminton (Bantay Badminton court); baseball (Cerillo Lao Compound); girls’ basketball (Caoayan covered court); boys’ basketball (Santa Catalina covered court); boxing (Vigan City Plaza); chess (Balwarte Function Hall); dancesport (NSCC); karatedo (Vigan Convention Center); girls’ lawn tennis (Vigan Tennis Court); boys’ lawn tennis (Sta. Catalina); pencak silat (NSCC); sepak takraw (Baddend covered court); softball (Cerillo Lao compound); swimming (Quirino Stadium); table tennis (San Vicente covered court); taekwondo (Vigan Convention Center); volleyball (Immaculate Conception Seminary covered court and Immaculate Conception School of Theology); at beach volley (Pres. Elpedio Quirino Stadium).
Host din ang Vigan Cuity sa 2018 Palarong Pambansa sa Abril. - PNA
