MANILA, Philippines – Idaraos ang kauna-unahang Phoenix Siklab Sports Youth Awards ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)-Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Media Group sa Hunyo 27 sa alas-5 ng hapon sa Century Park Hotel.
Kabuuang 50-atleta na hinati sa apat na kategorya ang paparangalan ng nasabing grupo na pinamumunuan ni June Navarro ng Philippine Daily Inquirer-presidente, Randy Caluag ng Manila Standard, bise-presidente, Lito Oredo ng Bandera-secretary, Julius Manicad ng Daily Tribune-treasurer, Reuben Terrado ng Spin.ph- auditor at mga board members nito buhat sa iba’t ibang pangunahin pahayagan sa bansa.
Kabilang sa mga pararangalan bilang Sports Idols ay 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 nasabing listahan ng awardees sa naturang kategorya 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 Peña (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, ay kasama ang mga pangalan nina 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 ay kabilang naman ang mga batang atleta na 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 nagkaroon ng ganitong proyekto ang Media Group sa tulong na rin mismo ng PSC katuwang ang POC at ng mga sponsors nito gaya ng Phoenix Petroleum, Standard Insurance, Philta, Vernica, Philippine Bowling Federation, Veloci, Omila Sports Academy, Cignal, Digital Out of Home at Ripples Daily.