DAKAR, Senegal — The Batang Pinoy now serves a greater purpose following the country’s best-ever campaign in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) and the Southeast Asian Plus Youth Games coming up next year. "Naomi’s [Marjorie Cesar] silver in the 800 meters and Pi’s [Durden Forward Wangkay]  bronze in the 200 meters in Dakar show the world what the next generation of Filipino athletes is capable of,” Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio said from Manila on Saturday. “Their incredible grit on the track in Senegal proves that our national sports programs and grassroots initiatives are bearing fruit.” Gregorio said. “The PSC remains fully committed to nurturing these young champions as they transition from youth competitions to the global senior stage.” Cesar and Wangkay’s achievements net them financial incentives of P2.5 million and P1 million, respectively, under Republic Act No. 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act. Their coaches, too, will benefit from the act and will receive half incentives the two athletes are receiving from the government. Enter the PSC’s flagship program for the youth—the Batang Pinoy which will stage its 2026 edition from December 12 ro 18 Bacolod City is hosting. “With this best-ever finish in the YOG, the International Olympic Committee’s program for the young athletes, the Batang Pinoy now serves a greater purpose,” Gregorio said. "The Batang Pinoy is no longer just a national showcase, it is the direct launchpad for international glory,” he said. “With the hosting of the SEA Plus Youth Games next year, the action in Bacolod City becomes our ultimate talent identification battleground.” The PSC staged the first Batang Pinoy which catered to varied age groups—12 and under and 18 and under—but for this year’s edition, Gregorio has set the maximum age at 15. In almost exactly a year’s time—from December 2 to 14, 2027—the country, through the Philippine Olympic Committee, will host the inaugural SEA Plus Youth Games in Manila, Pasig, Tagaytay and Subic Bay featuring 23 sports. In line with his grassroots thrust, Gregorio reiterated his battle cry since assuming office in July last year. “From grassroots to gold, from gold to greatness!” Gregorio stressed. The PSC supported the campaign of Cesar, Wangkay and seven other athletes in Senegal, the first African country to host an International Olympic Committee event. They were swimmers Jamesray Mishael Ajido and Riannah Chantelle Coleman, cyclist Maritanya Krog, artistic gymnasts Tchelzy Maayo and Hillarion Palles III, wushu artist Angel Polo and windsurfer Jade Justine Justiniane. Cesar’s silver and Wangkay’s bronze surpassed the silver won by Christian Tio in boys’ twin-tip racing of kiteboarding at the 2018 Buenos Aires Games—the gold Luis Gabriel Moreno shared with China’s Li Jiaman in mixed NOC in archery at Nanjing 2014 didn’t officially count. TMT