GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The athletic stars of tomorrow take centerstage when the 2025 Batang Pinoy gets underway on Sunday at the Antonio Acharon Sports Complex here.

Hostilities erupt as early as 6:30 a.m. when around 24,000 young athletes from all over the country dispute the first gold medals in the girls 18U discus throw and boys U16 shot put events of this prestigious grassroots tourney organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

A simple opening ceremony took place on Saturday night with eight-division world champion and General Santos native Manny Pacquiao and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting spearheading the torch relay.

PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio made sure that they are leaving no stone unturned in making this event a success by coordinating with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Philippine Coast Guard to ensure the safety of all the delegates following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that rocked Mindanao last 10 October.