Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann (File photo)
MANILA – Esports has been added to the official sports for Batang Pinoy and the returning Philippine National Games (PNG).
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann announced on Friday that esports is one of the 20 events that will be played in both Batang Pinoy and PNG, which will happen simultaneously from Dec. 17 to 22 in Metro Manila.
For the inaugural staging, according to Bachmann, only one title will be played.
"Kinausap na namin [ang PESO (Philippine Esports Organization)] (We discussed it already with PESO), and it's Mobile Legends [Bang Bang]," Bachmann said.
Also to be played in both Batang Pinoy and PNG are archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, 3x3 basketball, boxing, chess, cycling, dancesport, esports, gymnastics, karatedo, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, beach volleyball, weightlifting and wushu.
Aside from PESO, the national sports associations whose other events fall under will also help the PSC in organizing both meets.
The sports to be played are expected to increase in number come the next Batang Pinoy and PNG editions in August 2024.
Meanwhile, Bachmann also announced the expanded age eligibility for Batang Pinoy.
Teenagers aged 16 and 17 years old are now allowed to play in Batang Pinoy, while the PNG remains open for amateurs 18 and above.
“We want to put that premium on our grassroots sports programs,” Bachmann said. (PNA)
