Raising the bar for Milo Olympics

CEBU, Philippines - Year after year, new talents have been discovered, innovations in the games have been made and above all, progress and development in the program itself are evident in the Milo Little Olympics.

Each year, of course, marks a new challenge both for the athletes and coaches as the organizing Nestle Philippines knows how to raise the bar and keep up with the growing demands of the country's premiere privately-run, multi-sport event.

"We have to level up the standard of competition. We got the topnotch venues in Cebu and top-of-the-line sports equipment like Wilson, Molten, Mikasa and Marathon. Besides that, we also partnered with Philam Life to ensure the safety of the athletes," said Milo Sports Executive Robbie de Vera during the event's launching yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center. He was with fellow sports executive Andrew Neri.

Today, over 6,191 athletes and officials coming from 127 elementary and 115 secondary schools will converge for what is expected to be another elegant and pompous opening ceremony of the two-weekend sports conclave for the region's developmental athletes.

The bulk of participants are coming from Cebu, but they are expected to face tough challenge from athletes from Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete, and Negros Oriental.

Curiously, lesser public schools are seeing action in this year's edition mainly because the organizers have upped the ante as far as the competition is concerned.

"As the standard rises, public schools have become a bit fewer this time. We want to make sure that the event will be very competitive," said Visayas lead organizer Ricky Ballesteros.

Prior to the kick-off bash,there will be a pre-judging of muses for both the elementary and secondary level. This is being done because close to 60 contestants are vying for the coveted crown.

Aside from the selection of Miss Milo Little Olympics, the other highlight of the affair that will start at 1 p.m. is the cheerdance contest.

For Ballesteros, the regional elimination is not only about making it a successful one, but also coming up with a formidable line up for the National Championhips.

Team Visayas completed a historic grandslam feat in the national finals, but failed to claim the perpertual trophy when National Capital Region denied them of a four-peat the other year.

Team Visayas, also known as the Bisdaks, failed to regain its throne after being frustrated anew by the powerhouse NCR last year right at its turf.

"It's an added pressure for us as we try to regain the overall championship in the Milo Little Olympics, but we will try our very best to do whatever we can," said Ballesteros.

Among the sporting events featured in the annual joust are athletics, badminton, basketball, chess, football, gymnastics, tennis, sepak takraw, scrabble, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo and volleyball.

Games will go full blast on Saturday yet at different venues. Badminton and sepak takraw will be played at Metrosports in Lahug, chess at the University of San Carlos-North Campus, basketball, elementary football, taekwondo and secondary volleyball at Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, elementary tennis at Alta Vista Golf and Country Club and secondary tennis at Citigreen, while the rest will be contested at the CCSC.  (FREEMAN)