Banking on the six gold medal haul of archer Jathniel Caleb Fernandez, Baguio City secured a rare three-peat by topping the medal sheets of the 2022 Batang Pinoy National Championships in Vigan City.
Fernandez became the Baguio’s latest toast in archery after the nine-year-old Baguio Pines Family Learning Center third-grader was unstoppable on all fronts as he ruled the 10 meters (304), 15m (243), 20m (260), 30m (257) and final result (1064) one after the other and then added to his medal haul by topping the U10 boys Olympic round.
The Summer Capital topped the medals race with 31 golds, 30 silvers, and 39 bronzes while Pasig came in second with 22-12-14 followed by Quezon City with 21-10-15, and Laguna which got 20-15-16.
“Everyone (from PSC, NSAs, City Government, Sports Office, Deped, local sports associations and clubs, coaches, trainers, supporters, parents, and most especially to our young athletes) who have been part of Batang Pinoy Team Baguio) deserves these awards,” City Sports Division Head Gaudencio Gonzales said.
Baguio sent 279 athletes to the annual event.
Host Ilocos Sur Gov. Jerry Singson and PSC chair Noli Eala were both delighted at the competition’s successful turnout while sponsor Milo gave out special awards named “Pursigido Awards” at the closing rites at the Quirino Stadium in Bantay.
In the 2019 edition, Baguio City bagged 62 gold medals including 45 silver, and 70 bronze during the week-long national youth sports competition organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for athletes.
Executive Order No. 44, otherwise known as the Philippine Youth Games–Batang Pinoy, serves as the national sports competition program for children and is envisioned to address the need for a grassroots sports program centered on values formation inherent in the practice of sports and play.
Batang Pinoy is designed in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Leagues of Provinces, Cities, Municipalities and Barangays.
The Philippine Olympic Committee and National Sports Associations, both non-government entities and internationally recognized authorities in different sports, shall run and oversee the technical management of the event.
The Batang Pinoy opened on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, as it made its return this year for face-to-face competitions.
There are 85 local government units participating in the ongoing games until Dec. 22, 2022.
A total of 279 athletes will represent the city to the Batang Pinoy, the country’s national youth sports competition for athletes under 15 years old. RDO with reports from Angel Castillo
