Compuesto, Villaran shortlisted for Asian Youth Athletics Championships
BANTAY, Ilocos Sur—The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) is including 2022 Batang Pinoy National Championships standouts Leonelyn Compuesto of Masbate and Mico Villaran of Bacolod City in one of its national grassroots developmental programs.

PATAFA secretary general Edward Kho, who is part of the association’s National Talent Identification group, said Compuesto and Villaran are being shortlisted for consideration for the national team that would compete in the Asian Youth Athletics Championships that will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on April 27, 2023.
“Hindi pa naman final ang list, but they are on top of the shortlist based on their performances here,” said Kho.
“Of course, that’s why we’re here.”
This year’s Batang Pinoy concluded Wednesday, Dec. 21, in Ilocos Sur where Compuesto and Villaran, both first-timers in the said grassroots developmental competition of the Philippine Sports Commission, won multiple medals.
Compuesto is the most bemedalled trackster with victories in the 100 meters, 200m, 400m, 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay.
Villaran, for his part, pocketed three golds in the 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles and 200m.

“They only need continuous guidance and encouragement. Itong mga batang ito, they had been held up for at least two years, but nakakagulat nga na makikita mo na may magagandang performance,” Kho said.
“We need to further help them and be the future national athletes and it is up to all the stakeholders,” he added.