BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The city government under Mayor Benjamin Magalong is gearing up to send 596 athletes to the Batang Pinoy 2026 National Championships in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, as the Summer Capital’s young competitors undergo training ahead of the December 12–18 games.

Baguio’s delegation will consist of 756 members, including 596 athletes, 103 coaches, and 57 officials, who will represent Baguio in the national youth sports competition.

The championships are expected to draw an estimated 36,000 athletes, coaches, and officials from across the Philippines, with participants competing in 30 sporting events.

Domingo Lobredo Jr., an athletic trainer, said Baguio’s athletes are currently training in various locations across the city, with sessions conducted at venues suited to their respective sports.

Training sites include Melvin Jones and John Hay for golf, Loakan for cycling, Bayan Park for skateboarding, and Puyat Sports for bowling, among other facilities.

The preparations aim to ready the city’s athletes for the weeklong national competition, which will bring together young sports talents from different parts of the country. (Allan Roy Canilang, PIO Baguio Intern/gabykeith)