PARARANGALAN ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)- Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Media Group ang kabuuang 50 kabataan atleta sa Phoenix Siklab Sports Youth Awards ngayon sa Century Park Hotel.
Magsisimula ang programa ganap na 5:00 ng hapon.
Hinati sa apat na kategorya ang pagbibigay ng parangal na inorganisa ng POC-PSC Media Group na pinamumunuan ni June Navarro ng Inquirer.
“We would like to inspire our young athletes and give them more reasons to persevere, pursue their dreams and make our country proud in bigger stages,” pahayag ni Navarro.
Inaasahang makikiisa sa pagdiriwang ang mga opisyal ng PSC sa pangunguna ni Chairman William Ramirez, at POC, sa pamumuno ni Ricky Vargas, gayundin ni Phoenix big boss Dennis Uy.
Kabilang sa mga pararangalan bilang Sports Idols sina 1996 Winter Olympic silver medalist Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco at 2016 Rio Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, habang pasok naman sa kategorya ng POC Young Heroes Awards sina Kim Remolino ng triathlon, Rex Luis Krog ng cycling, Chezka Centeno ng billiards,Samantha Kyle Catantan ng fencing, Nicole Tagle (archery), Maria Takahashi (judo),Alex Eala (tennis), Veruel Verdadero (athletics) at si Bhay Newberry (swimming).
Kasama rin sa awardees sina Mary Angeline Alcantara (taekwondo), Rafael Barreto (swimming), Angelo Kenzo Umali (bowling), Caloy Yulo (gymnastics), Kaitlin De Guzman (gymnastics), Bea Hernandez (bowling), Sarah Barredo (badminton), John Vincent Pangga (boxing), Kenneth dela Pena (boxing), Allaney Jia Doroy (chess), Ghen-Yan Cruz (muay), Johnzenth Gajo (wushu), AJ Lim (tennis),Criztian Pitt Laurente (boxing) at si John Paolo Rivero (weightlifting).
Sa kategorya naman ng POC Super Kids Award, kasama sa mga tatanggap sina Kai Sotto (basketball),Tara Borlain (athletics), Marco Umgeher (alpine skiing), Dexy Manalo (canoe-kayak), Morris Marlos (sailing), Rizumu Ono (table tennis), Rosegie Ramos (weightlifting), Daniel Quizon (chess),Jane Linette Hipolito (weightlifting),Kieth Absalon (football),Justin Ceriola (jiu-jitsu), Trojan Dangadang (canoe-kayak), Christine Talledo (dragonboat) at si Eya Laure (volleyball).
Para naman sa PSC Children’s Games for Peace Awards sina Jayvee Alvarez (athletics), Rick Angelo Sotto (athletics), Kaila Soguilon (swimming), Althea Michel Baluyot (swimming), Ethan Zafra (archery), Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh (swimming), Karl Jahrel Eldrew Yulo (gymnastics), Princes Sheryl Valdez (arnis),Jared Cole Sua (archery) at si Phoebe Nicole Amistoso (archery).
Ito ang unang pagkakataon na nagkaroong ganitong proyekto ang Media Group, sa tulong ng PSC, POC, Phoenix Petroleum, Standard Insurance, Philta, Vernica, Philippine Bowling Federation, Veloci, Omila Sports Academy, Cignal, Digital Out of Home at Ripples Daily.
-Annie Abad