General Santos City: The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is set to introduce innovations for the upcoming Batang Pinoy National Championships, scheduled to take place in General Santos City from October 25 to 30. This year’s edition promises to offer a more modern and improved experience for the participants.

According to Philippines News Agency, more than 15,000 athletes aged 17 and below will compete across various sports. The events include aquatics, archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, chess, cycling, dancesport, futsal, gymnastics, jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, karate, muay, pencak silat, sepak takraw, soft tennis, tennis, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, and wushu.

PSC Chair Richard Bachmann expressed the commission’s goal at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum in Manila, stating, “Our main objective for this year’s Batang Pinoy is to provide the delegates an excellent experience as if they are competing in a global level of competition.” The forum also featured project director Nino Deo Urquiaga and PSC technical working group heads, supported by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Innovations for the event include a QR code system for schedules and results, age limit adjustments based on specific sports, and improved transportation for delegates using electric-jeepneys. The PSC technical working group recently collaborated with General Santos City Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao during an inspection of the event venues, affirming the city’s enthusiasm for the event. “We are so lucky that the government of General Santos City is just as excited,” Urquiaga remarked.