Taguig City - Tennis sensation Alex Eala and muay thai champion Alyssa Kylie Mallari are set to lead a group of 58 young athletes at the 3rd Siklab Youth Sports Awards. The ceremony, scheduled for December 4 at the Market! Market! Activity Center in Taguig City, will honor talents from 33 different sports. Eala and Mallari, along with other notable young athletes, will receive the Go for Gold Siklab Young Heroes awards.
According to Philippines News Agency, world youth weightlifting champion Prince Keil Delos Santos, Asian Championship junior gymnastics silver medalist Karl Eldrew Yulo, Southeast Asian Games aquathlon gold medalists Kira Ellis and Matthew Hermosa, and several other distinguished young athletes across various sports will be recognized. Ernest John 'EJ' Obiena, the world's No. 2 pole vaulter and Asia's No. 1, will be honored with the 'Sports Idol' award.
Special citations will be awarded to the Youth Football League and the Davao Aguilas Football Club, supported by Quezon City 1st District Representative Juan Carlos "Arjo" Atayde. Swimmer Ariel Alegarbes will receive the Para Youth Star award for his double gold medal win at the Asean Para Games in Cambodia. Additionally, Senator Bong Go will be recognized with the Godfather Award for his contributions to sports.
The Siklab Awards will also celebrate world champions in modern pentathlon and softball, along with achievers in muay thai, gymnastics, wrestling, obstacle sports, and karate. Chess, jiu-jitsu, skateboarding, and fencing will also see their rising stars honored. Organized by the Philippine Sports Commission - Philippine Olympic Committee Media Group, the Siklab Awards are dedicated to athletes aged 18 years and below. The event, which began in 2018, aims to recognize and encourage young sports talent in the Philippines.