LINGAYEN–The search for potential young sports champions who will represent the province has begun anew with the opening of the Batang Pinoy provincial eliminations last September 28 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center.

Modesto Operana, provincial sports coordinator, said 367 athletes will be chosen from some 1,500 who registered, noting that last year there were only about 600 participants in the elimination round.

There are 27 events in the Batang Pinoy but the Pangasinan team will only participate in 20 events.

In the last three years, the province has improved its 18^th ranking in 2010 to 11th in 2011, then to 5th in 2012 with the volleyball team as the reigning national champion in the annual sports competition that cater to both in-school and out-of-school youth who are 15 years old and below.

Operana said that aside from volleyball, the provincial team is showing strong potential in chess, basketball, and table tennis.

Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr. attributed the improvement in ranking to the rehabilitation of sports facilities and the moral and financial support of the provincial government for its athletes.

“We have allocated budget for our youth development and sports as well as anti-drug campaigns,” Calimlim said as he assured that programs geared towards the welfare of the youth will continue despite the suspension of the Sangguniang Kabataan.

The participants are sponsored by their respective local government units: Umingan, Bautista, Sta. Maria, Bolinao, Lingayen, Bayambang, San Carlos City, Urdaneta City, Alaminos City, Tayug, Laoac, Pozzorubio, Anda, and Dagupan City.

Meanwhile, final arrangements are being made for the establishment of a sports academy in the province.

“We’re just waiting for the final arrangements with the National Sports Commission to be completed,” Calimlim said.–Johanne R. Macob

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