THE Mandaue Sports Commission (MSC) will put additional muscle in its bid to develop its grassroots program after the city finished 6th overall in the Visayas leg of Batang Pinoy held last month in Maasin City.
Mandaue collected eight gold medals, 12 silvers and 15 bronze medals in the weeklong meet.
MSC director, Engr. Ricardo “Gaga” Mendoza, said they are targetting more medals in the national finals in December in Bacolod and are hoping that a Mandauehanon will land in the national training pool.
Batang Pinoy-Visayas gold medalists visited Mandaue City Hall yesterday where they presented their medals.
They include Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu’s (SHS-AdC) Johan Matthew Tubesa who won seven medals including a gold in swimming, badminton champion Carl Bernard Bejasa, arnis gold medalist Jenelyn Espirito, karatedo king Mooney Fernandez, the Subangdaku elementary school which topped girls volleyball and boxer John Niño Vega.
“Despite the lack of government support, these athletes and their coaches gave honor to the city. That’s why the sports commission will do our best to support them fully in the upcoming national finals,” Engr. Mendoza said.
The Junior Jaycees International is backing Mandaue’s bid in Bacolod by donating sports equipment and providing a strong support system.
Mendoza said the sports commission and the Junior Jaycees Int’l will provide Mandaue athletes with proper facilities, equipment and training to sharpen their skills.
The city is also allocating P500,000 for equipment and training gears, disclosed Mendoza who encouraged coaches and athletes to start their rigid training for the December national finals in Bacolod. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL