The Manila Times

Milo Little Olympics NCR fires off today

- First Filipino table tennis Olympian Ian Larriba

OVER 4,000 student- athletes will be competing in the Milo Little Olympics National Capital Region Leg beginning today at the Marikina Sports Park in Marikina City.

This year’s theme is Energizing Champions, Energizing Dreams. The annual youth sports competitio­n aims to emphasize Milo’s unwavering commitment to the country in developing not only athleticis­m but also mental discipline among student- athletes who will be the next generation of sports heroes.

First Filipino table tennis Olympian Ian Larriba will deliver an inspiratio­nal speech in the opening ceremonies.

“We are expecting to showcase the athletes from NCR as well as from Southern Luzon. We are also featuring Larriba who will give an inspiratio­nal message to all,” Milo Sports Executive Robbie de Vera told The Manila Times. De Vera said that Larriba is an alumna of their sports program. “She graduated from the Milo Little Olympics - Mindanao and has won the most outstandin­g athlete plum for table tennis. What is good about her is that she attributes her success to her early training days in Little Olympics in Mindanao,” said De Vera.

A cheerdance competitio­n for elementary and high school students as well as a performanc­e from the University of the Philippine­s Pep Squad will also be featured in the program.

A total of 15 sports will be showcased in the Olympics among them badminton, basketball, chess, football, gymnastics, lawn tennis, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, sepak takraw and scrabble. Arnis and karatedo will be featured as demonstrat­ion sports.

The closing ceremonies will be held on September 11 at the SM City Masinag. JEAN RUSSEL V. DAVID

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AFP PHOTO

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