MY Games national invitational unfurls

The country’s premier age-group sports spectacle — the second Manila Youth Games National Invitational — fires off today in elaborate opening rites at the San Andres Sports and Civic Center in Malate, Manila.

Promising to be even bigger and better than the inaugural edition, the Games will be ushered in by music, dances, Ati-Atihan fanfare and highlighted by a Hollywood-inspired sports cultural performance gig featuring the Manila Dance Center and the Philippine taekwondo demonstration team.

Manila Sports Council chairman Arnold "Ali" Atienza announced yesterday that close to 40 local government units had officially registered in the week-long meet presented by Converse and sponsored by Pagcor, San Miguel Corp., Tanduay and Super Ferry showcasing the nation’s best 17-under athletes.

"This turnout shows how many town and city government officials are keen on supporting grassroots youth sports with the absence of the Batang Pinoy Games," Atienza, also the presidential assistant on youth and sports and Inner City Development Committee chairman, said.    

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, together with some of the country’s top LGU officials, will lead local officials and representatives of the 897 barangays and six congressional districts of Manila in gracing today’s kick-off rites also backed by Globe Telecoms, Milo, Landbank, Metrobank, STI, PLDT My DSL, Spurway Enterprises, Jex Nylon Shuttles, Isuzu Manila, Procter and Gamble, Aktivade, IntrASports, and Concept Movers.

A cheering competition among the city’s collegiate and high school institutions, organized by Manila’s Youth and Development Welfare Bureau, will serve as one of the highlights of the 4 p.m. opening of the sportsfest which has the theme "Our Game, Your Game, MY Games."

Pol Glenn Hernandez, who won the gold medal in the men’s 400 meters in the 2005 MY Games, will light the Games flame.