17th MLO Visayas elims kick off today at CCSC

CEBU, Philippines - Under the striking banner of "Little champions. Big Dreams", the 17th Milo Little Olympics Visayas eliminations will kick off with a simple yet fast-paced ceremony this afternoon at the Cebu City Sports Center.

“It’s going to be a simple opening ceremony, but it has all the components of the Milo Little Olympics theme,” said event organizer Ricky Ballesteros.

Around 7,000 athletes, coaches and officials will take part in the traditional parade of athletes, which promptly starts at 1 pm.

A total of 114 schools bannered by perennial champion University of Cebu (UC) will compete in the secondary division, and 111 led by reigning titlist University of San Carlos-Basic Education (USC-BED) in the elementary level.

During the opening rites, Abellana National School (ANS) ushers in the spectators with a dance number in line with Department of Tourism’s campaign “It's more fun in the Philippines”.

Aside from the executives of Nestle Philippines, Department of Education (DepEd)-7 director Carmelita Dulangon and Cebu City Schools Division Superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud will also grace the affair.

Glenn Thomas Ramos of Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC), the most outstanding athlete in elementary football during the 3rd National MLO held in Lingayen, Pangasinan last year, will lead the oath of athletes, while decorated gymnast Karen Sthea Velez from the University of the Visayas (UV) will light the urn of peace and unity.

Milo Sports Executive Robert de Vera will formally declare the tournament open.

Aside from the selection of the Miss Milo Little Olympics, the other sidelights of the opening salvo is the search for the biggest and most disciplined delegation, the contingent with the loudest cheers and best in saludo and the cheerdance contest.

After the program that is expected to end by 5 pm, the football competition will immediately commence.

“This is the reason why we want the opening to be fast-paced since football will already start right after the program," said Ballesteros.

The other events to be contested in the two-weekend joust that will culminate on September 2 are athletics, swimming, badminton, chess, gymnastics, lawn tennis, scrabble, sepak takraw, sipa, table tennis, taekwondo, and volleyball.

Medals will be awarded to the top performers, but the overall rankings will be determined by 'points' system. – THE FREEMAN