LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Governor Amado I. Espino III led the opening program of the Pangasinan Provincial Try-Outs for Batang Pinoy 2017 recently at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) in Lingayen.
Addressing the participants, the provincial chief urged coaches, tournament managers, and teachers to instill into the minds of young athletes the art of discipline.
A sports enthusiast himself, Gov. Pogi stressed that discipline is fundamental in developing not only well-rounded athletes but good citizens who will carry with them not only their family names, but also the name of their community and their province. He further emphasized that discipline applies not only in different sporting activities, but in everyday life.
Governor Pogi’s advocacy of influencing the youth to become active community role models is in line with the thrusts of the provincial government’s desire to promote sports development and to make Pangasinan number one in sports not only in Region 1, but also in the entire country.
Over 3,500 participants composed of athletes, coaches, tournament managers, and technical officials from all over Pangasinan converged in Lingayen, Calasiao (for Taekwando and Karatedo), and San Carlos City (Swimming) last July 22-23.
The sports events held in Lingayen were: archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, basketball (3-on-3), boxing, chess, cycling, sepak takraw, table tennis, taekwando, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, and wushu.
The try-outs organized by the Provincial Sports Development Council (PSDMC) offered the cream of the crop athletes in Pangasinan an avenue to showcase their talents and prowess in the 17 sports events to qualify as part of team Pangasinan who will compete in the Batang Pinoy Luzon Leg on October 22-28 in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
An estimated 180 participants will represent Pangasinan in the upcoming 2017 Batang Pinoy Luzon Leg. Chosen athletes will undergo trainings supervised by PSDMC before the scheduled Luzon games.
According to Vice Governor Ferdinand Calimlim, competing in a try-out is the first step in achieving an athlete’s future in sports. Calimlim reminded participants that not qualifying in the Batang Pinoy Pangasinan team should not deter them from their goals in becoming one of the best athletes, urging them to keep the passion for sports burning.
Official results for the final line up of delegates to comprise Pangasinan are still being deliberated, as of press time.
By Dexter A. See
