MAGIGING panauhin sina Tokyo Olympics silver medalists Carlo Paalam at Nesthy Petecio sa pagbubukas ng 2022 Batang Pinoy National Championships ngayong Sabado, Dec. 17 sa Quirino Stadium sa Bantay, Ilocos Sur.

Bibigyang kulay nina Paalam at Petecio ang opening ceremony ng inaabangang kumpetisyon, na itinataguyod ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) sa pakikipagtulungan ng Ilocos sur government

Ang dalawang boxing champions ay kapwa produkto ng nasabing matagumpay na grassroots program ng PSC.

Inimbitahan ding dumalo sa opening ceremony sina Olympic judoka Kiyomi Watanabe at Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Chloe Isleta at Mary Allin Aldeguer.

“The Batang Pinoy program has already produced numerous champions in various sports since it started in 1999. I am sure that the stories of our bemedaled athletes will inspire our young athletes who will be competing in Ilocos Sur, to reach the height they have achieved,” pahayag ni PSC Chairman Noli Eala.

Si Eala ang mag-aanunsyo ng pagsisimula ng Batang Pinoy, na isa sa mga tampok na programa ng PSC alinsunod sa panawagan niPresident Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., na mas lalong ilapit ang sports sa mas madaming tao.

Ang iba pang mga personalidad na inaasahang dadalo sa opening crtem9ny ay sina Ilocos Sur Governor Jeremias “Jerry” Singson, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino at mga opisyales ng iba’t- ibang National Sports Associations (NSA).

Higit 6,000 participants mula 140 local government units ang lalahok sa siyam na face-to-face sports, gaya ng archery, athletics, badminton, chess, cycling, table tennis, swimming, weightlifting, at obstacle course racing, na isang demo sport.

Walong iba pang sports — arnis, dancesport, judo, karate, muay, pencak silat, taekwondo, at wushu — ang magaganap naman sa pamamagitan ng PSC Facebook at YouTube platforms.

Ang Batang Pinoy ay itinataguyod ng Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Department of Interior and Local Government Unit (DILG). Department of Education (DepED), MILO Philippines, Pocari Sweat Otsuka Solar Philippines,Universal Robina Corporation, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Globe Telecom, at Beautéderm.