TAGUM, Davao del Norte, Philippines — The Philippine National Youth Games, or popularly known as the “Batang Pinoy,” came into being with the main goal of discovering potential talents from the provinces. But for Phl Sports Commission chair William “Butch” Ramirez, it goes deeper than excelling or winning medals.
Ramirez said the games, which is open for in and out-of-school athletes aged 15 years old and below, should serve as the venue to rear children, regardless of status or religion, to become peace-loving citizens when they grow up.
“We consider the Batang Pinoy as a symbolic event for peace because we want children from the indigenous tribes, Muslims and Christians to play together without bias nor prejudice,” said Ramirez in yesterday’s press briefing right before the inaugural of the Mindanao Qualifying Leg of the Batang Pinoy at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex.
“If children can play together, peacemaking will be very vital. This is the very essence of the games,” he added.
Ramirez said the PSC’s dream is to tell the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization about the Batang Pinoy being an instrument of peace.
“At this stage of the children, we want to teach children to embrace peace, unity and tolerance and this is the direction we want to go. We will tell UNESCO one day that this about the children, who are future leaders of our country,” he said.
Ramirez along with host Davao del Norte Gov. Anthony del Rosario officially ushered in this weeklong multi-sports event that will be participated in by about 3,000 athletes from 89 local government units in the region.
Also present in the opener were PSC commissioners Ramon Fernandez, Charles Maxey, Celia Kiram and Arnold Agustin.
Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio begged off in the last minute as keynote speaker in the ceremony that was highlighted by a fireworks display.
Action will officially start today with the first gold medals to come from dancesports, archery, arnis, taekwondo and rapid chess.
Badminton, basketball, boxing, pencak silat, sepak takraw, softball, table tennis, volleyball and beach volley will also start today while centerpiece athletics and medal-rich swimming are scheduled to tip off a few days later.