MYG draws mammoth crowd

The finest 17-under athletes culled out from all over the Big City gathered yesterday at the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex as the fourth edition of the Manila Youth Games (MY Games) were ushered in during colorful and festive opening rites at the Track Stadium.

An estimated 25,000 people composed of participating athletes, the country’s top sports officials, city hall luminaries, and representatives from all 897 barangays, six congressional districts, and 130 public and private schools all over Manila trooped to the Stadium to witness the elaborate inaugurals of the biggest-ever sports gathering organized by a local government unit.

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, who was the keynote speaker, underscored the city government’s effort in putting premium on the youth through the MY Games, which is backed by Red Bull, San Miguel Corp., Globe Telecoms, Solar Sports, Super Ferry, Air 21, Milo, IntrASports, Concept Movers, Philippine Sports Commission, and PAGCOR.

"It has always been said that the youth is the hope of the nation. That is why your City Hall is focusing on the youth by providing them with an endeavor that would guide their path towards becoming assets of society," said Mayor Atienza.

"In line with our Buhayin ang Maynila program, we have relentlessly pursued a thrust for the youth in the firm belief that sports and physical fitness play an important role in society."

Manila’s very own sports greats led by Olympians Gabriel "Gabby" Fajardo of basketball and marathoner Ben Silva Netto were awarded plaques of recognition for their achievements by no less than Mayor Atienza.

Songs and dances filled the Stadium with a cheering competition, acrobatic show and taekwondo demonstration highlighting the inaugurals. And after Mayor Atienza declared the games open, a breathtaking 10-minute fireworks display with music and drumbeats kicked off the week-long multi-event competition organized by the Manila Sports Council (MASCO).

Hostilities start today in badminton, baseball, gymnastics, and table tennis at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, while dancesports will be held at the nearby San Andres Sports Complex.

Action in lawn tennis and volleyball commence on Tuesday at the RMSC and football at the Luneta Park, while chess and softball will be held at the Harrison Plaza and Rizal Memorial Baseball field, respectively starting on Thursday.

Action in swimming will start on Friday with the centerpiece athletics competitions and the paralympics firing off its three-day schedule also beginning Friday at the RMSC, while taekwondo takes centerstage at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday.