TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The city government, through the Local Youth Development Officer (LYDO) Gkachay Claver, expressed their appreciation of the outstanding accomplishments of the Tabukeño young athletes, at the just concluded “Batang Pinoy 2023”, especially the martial artists who performed during the flag-raising ceremony this morning.
In his statement, Claver remarked that the young athletes had overcome obstacles to become great masters in their chosen fields because of their discipline, devotion, and unshakable tenacity.
“In the spirit of martial arts, they have embodied the values of respect, integrity, and humility,” he said.
In addition, he stated that their voyage demonstrates not just their physical prowess but also their strong dedication to developing their talents and bettering themselves.
Claver continued by saying that their commitment to numerous hours of practice and training is admirable.
“Each strike, each block, and each technique executed flawlessly on the path to victory serves as an inspiration to us all,” he said.
The young athletes also showed that everyone can overcome any difficulty with focus, determination, and respect for others, according to the LYDO.
He continued by saying that they were to be commended for their achievements in the “broader context of life, where their lessons resonate far beyond the mats,” in addition to their achievements during the competition.
All in all, the city landed on the Top 13 overall and bagged 17 gold medals (4 Kickboxing, 7 Muay Thai and 6 wushu); 10 silver medals (3 Kickboxing, 3 Muay Thai, 3 Wushu and 1 Taekwondo); and 8 bronze medals (4 Muay Thai, 3 Kickboxing and 1 Cycling).
The Batang Pinoy was first initiated on 1999 which serves as the grassroots program of the Philippine Sports Commission, however, unlike the Palarong Pambansa, the Batang Pinoy also includes out-of-school- youth.
A notable figure who came from the Batang Pinoy games is Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz. By Edward Joseph Gacuya
