25th MILO® Little Olympics Luzon Elims Opened in Lingayen

25^th MILO^® Little Olympics Luzon elims set in motion

First regional leg opens in Lingayen, Pangasinan

Press Release: MANILA, PHILIPPINES, August 16, 2012 – Come rain or shine, the first of four MILO Little Olympics regional legs will begin this weekend, August 17 – 19, at the Narciso Ramos Sports Complex in Lingayen, Pangasinan. This year, about 3,000 students from more than 130 schools from Regions 1, 2, 3 and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are expected to compete in the premier interschool junior sports competition.

To ensure the safety of the students and their families, MILO regional organizers are in constant communication with PAG-ASA for updates on tropical storm Helen, which is expected to cross Northern Luzon towards the end of the week.

According to MILO Luzon regional organizer Tess Bernardino, a 24-hour medical team will provide medical assistance to the participants during the three-day event. “We have contacts from affiliated hospitals on standby should the region be on red alert for ‘Helen’,” said Bernardino. “Police will also be present during the event to ensure adequate security and provide a safe environment for participants and spectators alike.”

Bernardino believes that the MILO Little Olympics contributes greatly to the growing awareness of sports in the region and sets a benchmark for Pangasinan in hosting major sports competitions like the Palarong Pambansa.

“MILO inspires and motivates the youth, particularly those in provincial areas, to pursue their dreams,” said Robbie de Vera, MILO Sports Executive. “By providing an opportunity for our youth to showcase their athletic abilities in the national arena, MILO fosters not only discipline and sportsmanship in our student-athletes, but also determination and the drive to win.”

Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Helena Raine Teope, who won the 2010 National MILO Little Olympics Most Outstanding Athlete award for elementary girls swimming, and rising track star Yuseff Lorana were among those who displayed their athletic prowess in last year’s MILO Little Olympics Luzon eliminations. Both students represented the region in the 2011 National Finals.

After the Luzon eliminations leg, the MILOLittle Olympics will shift to Visayas on August 24 – 26, and September 1 and 2, NCR on August 31 – September 2, and September 8 – 9, and Mindanao on September 7 – 9.  The MILO Little Olympics National Finals is slated on October 19 to 21, 2012, marking the first National Finals in Manila in the history of MILOLittle Olympics.

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