The Philippines will send a 48-athlete delegation to the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from Dec. 7 to 14. The team will compete across nine sports, including goalball, athletics, swimming, powerlifting, table tennis, wheelchair basketball, badminton, boccia, and archery.

Goalball will feature 12 athletes, split evenly between men and women. Athletics will field 10 competitors, while swimming sends seven. Powerlifting, table tennis, and wheelchair basketball will each have four participants, badminton three, and boccia and archery two each.

Milette Santiago-Bonoan, the Philippine team’s chief of mission, said she is confident in the delegation’s potential. “I’m just glad that they have the opportunity to compete at this level,” Santiago-Bonoan said. “They have the heart to represent the country in any way they can.”

She also stressed the importance of encouraging institutions to embrace inclusivity in sports. “Sports build character and self-esteem. These kinds of events are important for these kids, because it gives them hope and confidence. It inspires them to be better, so this tournament matters so much,” Santiago-Bonoan added.

Filipino para-athletes aiming for success

In the previous edition in Manama, Bahrain, the Philippines won one gold medal through para swimmer Ariel Joseph Alegarbes, along with six silvers and two bronzes across swimming, athletics, and table tennis. Alegarbes has since progressed to senior-level competition, winning medals in the ASEAN Para Games and representing the country at the World Para Swimming Championships.

Other past Filipino medalists include Paralympian swimmers Angel Otom and Gary Bejino, and para-table tennis players Linard Sultan and Mary Eloise Sable, who earned medals at the ITTF World Para Future Tournament in Chinese Taipei last June.

Building the next generation of para-athletes

The Asian Youth Para Games aim to develop young para-athletes and provide them valuable international experience. For the Philippines, this event offers an opportunity to inspire more inclusivity in sports programs nationwide while preparing athletes for future senior competitions.

By combining experience, talent, and national pride, the delegation hopes to make a strong showing in Dubai and inspire the next generation of Filipino para-athletes.