"With some new discoveries, we are planning to send a bigger delegation to this year’s Batang Pinoy with the hopes of retaining the overall title," said Manila Sports Council (Masco) chairman Ali Atienza who formed the MYG in the hope of giving Manila’s children a sporting stage of their own.
Atienza, son of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, said he expects a tougher team to represent Manila in the PNG-Batang Pinoy. Manila won the overall title last year in Bacolod City despite sending a lean delegation, particularly in the medal-rich athletics.
The MYG came to a close yesterday afternoon after seven days of competitions among children athletes aged 12 and below. The final day of action, however, was marred by charges of irregularities as non-Manila residents were allowed to participate in the swimming competition.
But swimming director Bert Lozada, however, clarified that clubs outside Manila were allowed to swim as guest entries with the Philippine Columbian Association tankers clinching the overall title with a whopping haul of 27 gold medals.
Bea del Mundo raked in seven gold medals while Gian Berino, a Batang Pinoy multi-gold medal winner like Del Mundo, captured six gold medals in the girls’ and boy s’ 7-8 year-old divisions, respectively, to lead the PCA rampage.
The Manila Seahawks swim team, on the other hand, came in second with an 18-gold medal harvest, seven of them courtesy of six-year-old sensation April Bartolome.
Bartolome, daughter of former PBA referee Vic Bartolome, topped the 50-m backstroke, 50-m butterfly, 50-m freestyle, 50-m breaststroke, 100-m freestyle, 100-m individual medley and 100-m freestyle relay for 6-7 year-old girls.
Carla Conzales and Marco Martinez took home five gold medals each to contribute to PCA’s cause while Jessa Alcantara and Justin Tabunda were credited for the Manila Seahawks’ 11 gold medals.