The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) expects at least 7,000 young athletes to converge in Lanao del Norte for the inaugural Mindanao Youth Games next year.

PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said the projected turnout is based on the number of participants in previous regional events staged at the Mindanao Civic Center Sports Complex.

The tournament is scheduled from 11 to 17 April and will feature six Mindanao regions, Timor-Leste and the National Academy for Sports competing in 16 sports.

“They already hosted the regionals, and every time they host, it’s more than 5,000 participants. Although this is for 18 and under, I think their target is 5,000 to 7,000,” Gregorio said during a press conference on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The games will feature football, athletics, swimming, basketball, volleyball, archery, tennis, combat sports, weightlifting, karate, pencak silat, sepak takraw, arnis and boxing, with pickleball serving as a demonstration sport.

Gregorio also floated the possibility of turning the Mindanao Youth Games into a qualifier for the Palarong Pambansa, depending on how the inaugural staging unfolds.

“We can definitely discuss that with the Department of Education. It’s easy to align. Secretary Angara and Undersecretary Malcolm Garma are very supportive,” Gregorio said. I.S.