THE PHILIPPINE Sports Commission’s Batang Pinoy has succeeded in its core goal of producing national athletes.
That’s at least as far as track and field is concerned.
Edward Kho, secretary-general of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, recently said the best performers in the sport in Batang Pinoy would be seriously considered for national youth team inclusion.
“Shortlisted athletes from the Batang Pinoy athletics competition will be included for the Philippine selection Team to compete at the 4th Asian Youth Athletics Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on April 27-30, 2023,” said Mr. Kho, who was with PATAFA President Terry Capistrano to personally identify the worthiest performers in the sport.
And the first to make the squad was Masbate wunderkind Leonelyn Compuesto, who swept all five sprint gold medals to end the most be-medaled athlete at the track.
Ms. Compuesto, 15, was a cut above the rest in capturing mints in 100 meters, 200m, 400m as well as the 4x100m and 4x400m relays where she was the anchor of Masbate’s version of the “Fantastic Four” that included Realyn Lanuza, Jesalyn Materdan and Alessandra Nicole Capellan.
And just like her idol, the late great Lydia de Vega-Mercado, Ms. Compuesto is ready when destiny comes calling. — Joey Villar