Dumaguete hosts Batang Pinoy Visayas meet

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from its hosting of the Little League Baseball Philippine Series last summer, Dumaguete will stage another youth-based competition in the Batang Pinoy Visayas leg on Sept. 23-29.

The hosting was formalized yesterday by the signing of memorandum of agreement between Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Remollo and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez at the PSC Admin Building in Manila.

“We’re so happy that Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Remollo, who even went here in Manila and visited us very early just to complete our MOA signing, will now be our partner in grassroots sports development and in pursuing sports tourism,” Ramirez said.

Remollo, a long-time supporter of baseball and softball, said Dumaguete is positioning itself as a hub for sports.

“It is also our way to actively lead the youth away from illegal drugs,” said Remollo, adding: “Gusto namin na ma-adik kami sa sports, hindi iyung para matokhang ha (We want our youth to get addicted to sports, not drugs).”

Under the agreement, the PSC will provide equipment, logistics, technical people and funding for the Dumaguete Batang Pinoy while the host city will take care of accommodation, security, local transport, medical and other logistical needs.