Nationwide interschool league adds basketball to sports roster
Manila, Philippines, August 13, 2013 – Leading nutrition, health and wellness company Nestle Philippines, makers of MILO, today announced that the MILO Little Olympics, the country’s longest-running interschool youth sports competition, is launching its 26th season with the first of four regional legs at the Cebu City Sports Complex on August 16 to 18 and 24 to 25. After Visayas, the competition will advance to Mindanao, NCR and Luzon, before returning to the Queen City of the South for the 26th MILO Little Olympics National Finals.
The MILO Little Olympics has contributed tremendously to the discovery and progress of local talent by helping the youth gain confidence, practice teamwork and imbibe values that stay with them for life. As part of its continued commitment to finding the next generation of sports heroes, MILO will be adding a Filipino favorite, Basketball, to its roster of sporting events this year.
”Filipinos have a huge heart for basketball because of its competitive and thrilling nature,” said Robbie de Vera, MILO Sports Executive. “We at MILO recognize that many young basketeers dream of playing in big leagues like the PBA or even represent the country in international competitions like FIBA Asia. We want to help fuel the youth’s passion for basketball and for other sports as well by providing a quality competition that helps them showcase their athletic abilities, determination and drive as the first step towards achieving greatness in international competitions.”
With the invaluable support of the Department of Education, the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, the MILO Little Olympics offers a variety of sports events, including Athletics, Badminton, Chess, Football, Gymnastics, Lawn Tennis, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tae Kwon Do, Volleyball, Sipa or Sepak Takraw and Scrabble, to student-athletes from public and private schools nationwide.
Last year, Team Visayas failed to secure its fourth consecutive victory against rival NCR, who took home the Perpetual Trophy for the first time as the Overall Champion. Over 30,000 sports enthusiasts filled the Marikina Sports Complex to witness the 25th MILO Little Olympics grand finale. “We are expecting even more spectators and sports enthusiasts to gather and experience the thrilling youth sports games in the different regional events,” added de Vera. “We are also looking forward to seeing a heated rivalry unfold as NCR guards its throne from a former Champion.”
“Throughout the years, we have seen significant growth in the level of competition for the MILO Little Olympics. With quality athletes from across all regions and the addition of basketball to the roster of events, we expect to see a higher degree of intensity and determination among our players to reclaim the championship throne at the finale on our home soil,” MILO Little Olympics Visayas organizer Ricky Ballesteros.
De Vera further expressed that local government units, Department of Education, Philippine Sports Commission, and the Philippine Olympic Committee contribute greatly to the event’s massive success. “Throughout the years, the MILO Little Olympics has prioritized the safety and security of student-athletes across all regions with the support of the local government units and organizations. MILO demonstrates this commitment by deploying comprehensive measures and round the clock medical and security teams in each venue.”
The 26th season of the MILO Little Olympics has been set to take place in a new Luzon province, Baguio City. In place of Lingayen, Pangasinan, athletes will compete in the City of Pines to allow more budding talents of Luzon to experience the premiere sporting event, while still within proximity of Pangasinan-based participants.
After the Visayas leg on August 16 to 18, 24 to 25 at the Cebu City Sports Complex, the 26th MILO Little Olympics will shift to Mindanao (Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center) on August 23 – 25, NCR (Marikina Sports Complex) on August 30 – 31, September 1, 7 and 8, and Luzon (Baguio City Athletic Bowl) on September 6 to 8. The All winners from the eliminations legs will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Cebu for the National Finals on October 25 to 27, 2013.
For more information, please visit the MILO marathon website (www.milo.com.ph) or access the MILO Philippines fanpage on Facebook. Follow MILO on Twitter (@MILOPH).
