It’s been nearly three years since our children lost their “right” to play games, no thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic that forced the world to a standstill—with governments asking children and senior citizens to stay home to avoid the virus.
The World Health Organization said those 17 years old and below were the most susceptible to virus infection although the effects were far riskier for adults.
Study shows that more children are asymptomatic, but they can infect others, so they remain a threat to the household.
But the psychological effect of the pandemic on children due to long inactivity has become alarming.
Mental health problem has led to more significant healthcare concerns.
Good thing the government is adamant about putting the lives of children and adolescents back to normal.
First, the Department of Education pushed the face-to-face classes through.
Although it is still a hybrid combination of on-line and actual physical classes, teachers have become more creative in dealing with the procedure to at least evade if not combat the persisting COVID virus.
Now the Philippine Sports Commission is taking the lead in boosting the physical activities of the children at the forthcoming launch of the Batang Pinoy 2022 to be hosted by the provincial government of Ilocos Sur on Dec. 17-22, 2022.
It’s going to be the first multi-sports event after the COVID-19 outbreak.
This will be the first time the Batang Pinoy National Youth Games will be back in action after the COVID-19 pandemic. It will cater to student-athletes and out-of-school youth aged 10-15 years old from 81 provinces and 144 cities.
There are 17 sports to be played in total. Nine sports will be contested in face-to-face competitions: archery, athletics, badminton, chess, cycling, table tennis, swimming, weightlifting and obstacle course racing (demonstration sport).
Conducted as virtual contests are eight disciplines such as arnis, dancesport, judo, karate, muay, pencak silat, taekwondo, and wushu.
A total 1995 medals—600 gold, 600 silver and 795 bronzes—will be at stake in the 6-day sports fest.
Around 7,000 participants representing athletes, coaches and officials are expected to take part in the Batang Pinoy 2022 National Championships.
“I know that it will be a very exciting time for our young athletes and we certainly hope that this will finally give them an opportunity to compete, interact and be part of the community of young athletes that will be part of their holistic development as healthy citizens of this country,” said PSC chairman Nolie Eala.
We need more activities like this, especially at the local level—from the barangay up to the municipality and province.
The Batang Pinoy program should serve as an impetus for local government executives to sustain the country’s drive to combat and finally defeat the fear of the COVID-19 virus.