PRISAA National Games kicks off in Tagbilaran City

PRISAA National President, Fr. Vic Uy of the Holy Name University, said Bohol is looking forward to a successful hosting of the Games which has returned to the province after 71 years. (PNA photo)

TAGBILARAN CITY — More than 4,000 athletes from all over the country are set to compete in the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games, which will kick off on Monday at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex here.

This year’s Games, themed “Sports: Transcending Barriers Through Unity and Camaraderie”, features 18 sports including athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, chess, dance sport, football, karatedo, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, taekwondo, table tennis, beach volleyball, indoor volleyball and weightlifting in both seniors and juniors division.

PRISAA National President, Fr. Vic Uy of the Holy Name University, said Bohol is looking forward to a successful hosting of the Games which has returned to the province after 71 years.

“Bohol takes pride in having the honor of hosting a big multi-sport event after a long time. The competition venues are ready and the accommodation of all the participants is well-taken care of,” said Fr. Uy during a press conference on Saturday at the Metro Centre Hotel and Convention Center.

Also present were PRISAA National Board chairman Emmanuel Angeles, secretary general Boy Santos, corporate secretary Dr. Fe Rabanal, and executive director Elbert Atilano Sr. Uy, who expressed his optimism that Region 7 (Central Visayas) will be able to defend the overall title in the seniors division.

“Most of the athletes who won medals last year are competing this year. Having the Games in our region is also a big factor, our athletes have the crowd support,” said Uy, who serves as PRISAA-Region 7 president.

Central Visayas has collected 124 golds, 64 silvers and 59 bronzes for a total of 247 medals in the 2017 PRISAA National Games held in Iba, Zambales in April last year.

Region 6 (Western Visayas) finished second with 171 medals (53 golds, 53 silvers and 65 bronzes), while Negros Islands Region (NIR) was third with 52 medals (38 golds-2 silvers-12 bronzes).

Region 4-A (Calabarzon) placed fourth with 127 medals (36 golds, 29 silvers and 62 bronzes) followed by Region 11 (Southern Mindanao) with 139 medals (26 golds, 59 silvers and 54 bronzes); Region 9 with 53 medals (23-17-13) and Region 12 (Central Mindanao) with 78 medals (18-23-37).

Region 6 topped the juniors division with 158 medals (92 golds, 43 silvers and 23 bronzes) followed by Region 3 (Central Luzon) with 113 medals (33-53-27); NIR was third with 46 medals (26-16-4); Region 9 (Western Mindanao) with 27 medals (21-1-5); Region 11 with 81 medals (17-26-38); Region 7 with 43 medals (16-20-7) and Region 4-A with 21 medals (16-1-4).

Only 16 regions are represented in the Games in the absence of National Capital Region.

Negros Occidental has returned to Western Visayas and Negros Oriental went back to Central Visayas following the abolition of NIR in August last year.

Meanwhile, PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez has arrived on Sunday morning to grace the opening ceremony scheduled late in the afternoon at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex oval.

Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto, Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 7 director, Dr. Freddie Bernal were also here to deliver speeches after the parade of athletes and officials.

As in previous PRISAA National Games, there will be oratorical, singing and beauty contests lined up this year with the Mutya ng PRISAA coronation night set on April 26 at the Bohol Cultural Center.