Batang Pinoy 2025 will take place in General Santos City from October 25 to 30, welcoming around 15,000 athletes from all over the country. Organized by the Philippine Sports Commission, the nationwide grassroots program is open to athletes aged 17 and below.

The event will feature 27 sports including swimming, arnis, athletics, judo, karate, taekwondo, volleyball, boxing, and wrestling. PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann said the goal is to give participants an experience that feels like competing at the global level, similar to what they see on TV and social media.

General Santos City’s Proven Track Record in Hosting Events

General Santos, known as the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines,” is no stranger to sports hosting. In 1996, it co-hosted the Palarong Pambansa with Koronadal and Sarangani and hosted both the inaugural and seventh editions of the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games.

Just last October, the city also staged the Mindanao leg of the Indigenous Peoples Games. Earlier this year in March, GenSan hosted the National Age Group Duathlon and continues to accommodate major school-based tournaments like PRISAA and NMRAA.

Early Coordination Between PSC and LGU in Full Swing

Preparations for the 2025 edition began on March 18 with PSC’s Technical Working Group, led by Dindin Urquiaga, meeting with Mayor Lorelie G. Pacquiao for an initial venue inspection. Urquiaga shared that innovations will be implemented to enhance the experience for all delegates.

Mayor Pacquiao, supported by sports officers Lady Margaret Manalo and Gerardo Gonzales, affirmed GenSan’s commitment to grassroots development. She offered the city as a stage for building a stronger sports community and empowering the next generation of Filipino champions.