Manila is currently hosting its Philippine National Games, featuring national athletes and hundreds of aspirants from various barangays of the country. Richie Garcia, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman led the formal launching of the event yesterday at the athletes' hall of the PSC. The opening ceremonies shall be held on Friday, the 25th of May, with an estimated 6,000 athletes marching in the parade of athletes at the Rizal Memorial football stadium.
Lost amidst the angry shouts of protestations between Taiwan-Philippines (killing of a fisherman) and People's Republic of China-Philippines (territorial disputes in the Spratly group of islands) is the upcoming Asian Youth Games to be held in Nanjing, China from August 16-24, 2013. China is one country which has existing territorial disputes (land and maritime) with various countries who may be participating in the games. To enumerate, the disputes are as follows:
- Maritime boundary in the Gulf of Tonkin between Vietnam and China
- Maritime boundary along the Vietnamese coast between Vietnam, China, and Taiwan
- Maritime boundary in the waters north of the Natuna Islands between Indonesia, China, and Taiwan
- Maritime boundary north of Borneo between Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei
- Islands in the southern reaches of the South China Sea, including the Spratly Islands by Vietnam, Malaysia, The Philippines, Taiwan, and China
- Maritime boundary off the coast of central Philippines and Luzon between the Philippines, China, and Taiwan
- Islands in the northern reaches of the South China Sea, including the Paracel Islands between Vietnam, China, and Taiwan
- Maritime boundary in the Luzon Strait between the Philippines and Taiwan, including islands
- The nine-dash area claimed by China which covers most of the South China sea and overlaps EEZ of Brunei, Malaysia, Philippine and Vietnam
Politics and Sports do make strange bedfellows. Countries and their government go to great lengths, i.e. efforts, It money and otherwise, to host and/or participate, excel and win in international sporting events. For good reason, hosting and winning in sports events attracts attention and accolade to concerned countries. Also, the feeling of nationalistic pride that it brings to the citizens of the particular country help boost up the cause of the reigning government. On the other hand, the participants of the events also become beneficiaries. Being in the event to represent their respective governments bring the athletes into contact with their counterparts from other countries. It affords them opportunities for meaningful interactions and communications. It is aimed also at fostering the Olympics spirit, competitiveness and sportsmanship, to the Asian Youth. Win or lose, their participation alone provides an athlete memories to last a lifetime.
It is along this line that the People's Republic of China, save for its current political posturings, hope to gain some mileage through the hosting of the 2nd Asian Youth Games 2013 in August 16-24, 2013 at Nanjing, China. The theme for the event is appropriately dubbed "Youthful Celebration, Pasionate Asa". A total of 45 nations are expected to participate in 118 events for 16 sports. The sports consist of Aquatics, Diving, Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Fencing, Footbal, Golf, Handball, Judo, Rugby union, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, Tennis and Weightlifting. The AYG 2013 will put to the test the facilities in Nanjing in preparation to their hosting of the 2014 Asian Youth Olympics the following year.
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| Above, the Mascot, Yuan Yuan (earliest primate found in Jiangsu province)
for the 2nd Asian Youth Games 2013
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| Logo of the 2nd Asian Youth Games 2013 |
The Asian Youth Games is held every 4years, the first one having been held in Singapore in 2009. It is one of the 5 Games being managed by the Olympic Council of Asia, International Olympics Committee and the Asian Youth Games-OCA. The other games are the Asian Games, the Asian Winter Games, the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and the Asian Beach Games.
