Sports organizations and coaches gathered for a stakeholders’ meeting to discuss preparations for the athletes who will represent Bacolod City in the upcoming Batang Pinoy 2026, which the city is set to host.
Mayor Greg Gasataya assured the city’s contingent of the local government’s full commitment, emphasizing that both financial and logistical support will be provided to ensure athletes are well-prepared for the national youth games, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said Thursday, August 27.
“We assure you that the support of the City of Bacolod will always be there because we know it’s not just a matter of competition or winning medals. What is important is that we are providing opportunities for our Bacolodnon youth to compete at higher levels of sports,” Gasataya said.
The mayor also highlighted the city’s broader preparations for the event, noting that he had previously met with accommodation providers to strengthen collaboration and ensure an inclusive, citywide effort for the successful hosting of Batang Pinoy 2026.
The national youth games will bring together athletes aged 8 to 15 from across the country, competing in 30 sports disciplines, and is expected to generate significant sports tourism and economic activity for Bacolod.
During the forum, coaches and representatives from various sports organizations welcomed the administration’s strong support for grassroots sports and its vision of positioning Bacolod as a premier sports tourism destination, the press release said.
Wrestling coach Jerry Dela Cruz described the meeting as a meaningful platform where coaches and trainers from schools, private clubs, and NOPCSEA were able to share concerns, insights, recommendations, and experiences.
“I would personally call it the Batang Pinoy Brainstorming: Go for Gold 2026,” Dela Cruz remarked.
Also present during the meeting were City Administrator Mark Steven Mayo, Secretary to the Mayor Marty Go, Rhett Demonteverde, Officer-in-Charge of the Bacolod City Youth Development Office, and representatives from the City Tourism Office.*
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