The Philippine delegation will begin its journey to the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games as 48 athletes and team officials depart in two groups for Dubai on Dec. 7 and 8. The contingent represents the country’s largest youth para lineup yet, featuring competitors from nine sports.

The first group, made up of athletes and staff from para archery, para athletics, boccia, goalball, para powerlifting, para swimming and para table tennis, is scheduled to leave on Sunday. The rest of the delegation, including wheelchair basketball 3×3 and para badminton squads, will fly out the following day.

Leading the national campaign is chef de mission Milette Santiago-Bonoan, joined by Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo and secretary-general Goody Custodio. They will oversee a week-long competition expected to draw more than 1,500 athletes from 35 countries across Asia.

Philippines eyes stronger showing in Dubai

The Games officially run from Dec. 7 to 14, beginning with para sports classification from Dec. 7 to 9 and the opening ceremony on Dec. 10. All medal events will take place from Dec. 10 to 14, covering 11 sports.

Filipino athletes will compete in nine disciplines as they push to surpass the country’s output from the 2021 edition in Manama, Bahrain. That campaign yielded one gold, six silver and two bronze medals.

Para swimmer Ariel Joseph Alegarbes accounted for the country’s lone gold and added two silver medals, highlighting the Philippines’ potential in youth para swimming. Several other athletes also reached the podium, including Ronn Russell Mitra and Daniel Enderes Jr. in para athletics, Linard Sultan and Mary Eloise Sable in para table tennis, and Angel Otom in para swimming.

Youth standouts look to build on 2021 success

Otom has since risen to the senior ranks and represented the Philippines at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, serving as an example for the new generation aiming to follow her path. With nine sports to contest, the 2025 delegation enters Dubai with a deeper field and higher expectations.

Team officials believe this year’s larger roster and broader sport participation give the Philippines a strong chance to improve on its previous tally as the young athletes take on the continent’s best.