AROUND 4,000 athletes, coaches, and officials converged in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental to compete in the weeklong Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)-Batang Pinoy Mindanao Games.
The opening ceremony was held at the Misamis Occidental Provincial Athletic Center and attended by PSC commissioner for Mindanao Charles Raymond Maxey along with fellow PSC commissioners’ Arnold Agustin and Celia Kiram.
The meet serves as a qualifying event for the PSC-Batang Pinoy National Finals that will be held in Baguio City on September.
The meet was rescheduled twice last year due to security reasons brought by the crisis in Marawi City.
Kiram commended the local government unit of Oroquieta City for its warm welcome and well-prepared venues for the 20 sporting events in this competition.
“The Batang Pinoy pushing through now is tangible proof that there is peace in Mindanao,” said Kiram in her welcome speech during the opening ceremonies relayed through a press release from the PSC.
The opening ceremonies were also attended by Oroquieta City Mayor Jason Almonte and Misamis Occidental Governor Herminia Ramiro along with Oroquieta City councilors Jeselie Borbon and Richard Centino.