Milo Sports is walking the extra mile to make sure that its programs involving close to 20 sports will continue to reach, accommodate and benefit as many athletes, particularly the young ones.

"Our approach is that we are moving with the times," said Milo Sports head Carlo Sampan during yesterday's Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Samban cited its strong, decades-long partnership with sports like swimming, karatedo, basketball, volleyball, golf, gymnastics, running, and of recent jiu-jitsu, jumprope, ice-skating during the forum.

"We know that raising champions is not an overnight endeavor," he said during the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Milo, Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

Sampan was joined in the forum by Monica Jorge of BEST Center for basketball and volleyball, Ral Rosario for swimming, Ricky Lim for karatedo and Jessie Guerrero for golf.

They said their respective summer programs are ongoing, and because of the new schedules of the different schools, the programs may run until August or even September.

'We've had gymnastics who are lawyers now or basketball players who are now doctors. It's really about the values and Milo is honored to be part of that.'

"There are schools that started their summer breaks either earlier or later so we plan to extend our summer program to three months," Lim said.

The sports officials thanked Milo for its unwavering support even during the pandemic while noting that the brand synonymous to sports continues to look for ways to bring kids into sports, and live an active lifestyle.

"We've had gymnastics who are lawyers now or basketball players who are now doctors. It's really about the values and Milo is honored to be part of that," Sampan added.

He said because of the pandemic, Milo Sports has found ways to keep its programs going.

"The use of phones and gadgets — even in education. And we have different digital programs for those who cannot go to on-ground classes. A lot of opportunities are presenting themselves. Even homeowners associations and barangays and condo residents are reaching out to us on how they could come up with sports programs. We are not limiting ourselves," Sampan said.