ILOILO – This province is hosting the Visayas qualifying leg of the 2019 Philippine National Youth Games – Batang Pinoy. But it won’t be fielding athletes to compete.
There is no budget for Iloilo athletes’ participation because the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has yet to approve the province’s P3.7-billion 2019 budget, said Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr.
The budget impasse, however, won’t affect the province’s hosting of the games because all the needed sports facilities are available for use, according to Defensor, such as the Iloilo Sports Complex.
“We will allow the 2019 Philippine National Youth Games – Batang Pinoy to use our sports facilities for free,” said the governor.
William Ramirez, chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, wrote the provincial government on Jan. 21 seeking support to the Batang Pinoy by making available the Iloilo Sports Complex and other sports facilities in the province.
The Visayas qualifying leg of the Philippine Youth Games will be from Feb. 23 to March 2.
The annual competition organized by the Philippine Sports Commission aims to discover fresh sports talents from the grassroots./PN
