Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella called on the Philippine Sports Commission to have the national team athletes play in this year’s Batang Pinoy under their respective local government units.
In a letter to PSC chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann, Puentevella said having the athletes play in their respective LGU will help elevate the competition and be able to spot more talents for the national team.
This year’s Batang Pinoy, a program created by Puentevella in 2000 during his time as PSC commissioner, will be held from 17 to 22 December in Metro Manila.
“PSC will definitely save more if LGUs are allowed to help our athletes who are mostly not from Metro Manila. Most will not participate if they have to spend personally competing in these national grassroots programs,” Puentevella said.
“National athletes joining both events from LGUs become our benchmarks for competition against newcomers who aspire to challenge them and eventually become members of the national team if and when they upset our NTPs. This is how we discover and identify our future elite athletes.”
The Batang Pinoy was a stepping stone for athletes like gymnast Carlos Yulo and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who all became world champions in their respective sports.
Puentevella added letting the athletes play in their respective hometowns will be beneficial for everyone.
“Our Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn (Diaz) and potential Paris Olympians Vanessa Sarno, Rosegie Ramos, Elreen Ando, Kristel Macrohon, John Fabuar Ceniza, et al representing their LGUs are all discoveries from Batang Pinoy. Let everyone compete against each other and give pride to their LGUs,” Puentevella said.
“This is how we entice LGUs to support and spend for them and respectively give pride to their cities and municipalities. And for aspiring kids to compete against the best. As long as they qualify. Please do not deprive them of the ultimate challenge for kids and teenagers. Our future.”
