More than 12,000 participants from 177 local government units (LGUs) are expected in the 2024 Batang Pinoy on Nov. 23 to 28 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

The 25th edition of the multisport grassroots competition will have 30 sports that include boxing, gymnastics and weightlifting -- three sports where Filipinos won medals in the last two Olympics -- for the weeklong event.

“Nasa finish line na. We’ve done all the meetings that we can from the logistical standout. Ang Palawan naman hindi na sila baguhan when hosting a sporting event,” said Batang Pinoy project director and Philippine Sports Commission executive director Paulo Tatad during the PSA Forum on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

All sports will take place in 16 to 17 venues all around the city while gymnastics programs, for its location, will be held in Manila.

Lower age brackets were also temporarily removed, with this edition hosting only 12 to 17 age group categories in all sporting events.

Despite the bigger number of athletes, BP co-project lead Anna Ruiz assured that each of the competitors and mentors will be accommodated.

“We have 29 building schools with a capacity of 15,000. Kaya makakasiguro na meron tayong sapat na building schools that will accommodate all our delegation, the athletes and the coaches,” Ruiz added.

“Napakaganda ng coordination namin ngayon sa host LGU of Puerto Princesa, sa accommodation nakapag-provide na sila,” she added.

Also taking the spotlight are youngsters who will vie in new featured sports in jiu-jitsu, kurash and obstacle course while also returning is soft tennis.

Since its inaugural iteration in 1999 in Bacolod, Batang Pinoy, aside from Palarong Pambansa, has championed grassroots athletes from rural to urban areas of the archipelago.

It produced numerous notable sports men and women in Summer Games medalists in boxer Eumir Marcial, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo and gymnast Carlos Yulo.