CEBU, Philippines - Cebu is once again on the national sports spotlight.
The brand new, P26-million rubberized track oval of the Cebu City Sports Center was formally blessed and inaugurated yesterday in conjunction with the elaborate opening salvo of the 2012 Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games.
Over 4,000 athletes from 16 regions led by defending champion and host Central Visayas will fight it out for the 223 gold medals at stake in the week-long sports conclave that gathers some of country’s top collegiate athletes.
PRISAA national president Fr. Vicente “Vic” Uy, SVD felt proud and was overwhelmed by the colorful and festive kick-off bash spotlighted by a modernized cultural show featuring various cultures of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The ‘Pasigardo sa Sugbo’, showcasing the different festivals of the Queen City of the South, became the centerpiece of the ceremony where honored guests led by Governor Gwen Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and PRISAA National Chairman Emmanuel Angeles danced with the performers during the finale that was followed by a grand fireworks display.
“We’ve prepared for the opening ceremonies for two months because we would like to show to other regions how we do our opening. We wanted it something unique and will leave a legacy to everybody,” said award-winning choreographer Victor Cuenco.
Fr. Uy encouraged every athlete to make the most of this wonderful opportunity, not only to showcase their athletic skills and talents but also to do it in the spirit of friendship and camaraderie.
“I am sure that we will witness athletic performances of the highest quality over the course of this championship. Still, I exhort you to do your best and to compete in the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play. But most of all, may you take the opportunity to get to know one another and come closer to each other,” said Fr. Uy.
“I think few will dispute that sports do make us strong and healthy and teach us to accept defeat in humility and celebrate victory with magnanimity. These lessons later will become building blocks of success in life,” he added.
Track Oval
Mayor Rama, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude to the Sto. Niño for allowing the renovation of the track oval to finish just in time for the PRISAA National Games.
“Our sports center is now open for business and will serve as a venue for the different sporting events and PRISAA is the start. I encouraged the Central Visayas athletes to give their best and hopefully bring home the bacon,” said Rama.
CCSC general manager Ricky Ballesteros said the replacement of the rubber for the track oval was finished on time with good quality.
“We’re happy and at the same time proud after finally seeing the elegance of the newly-renovated track oval. We did not sacrifice its quality. It just so happen that it was done days before the National PRISAA,” said Ballesteros.
Guests
The ever supportive Governor Garcia, who made her way from Camotes to SRP via chopper just to attend the opening bash, said that Cebu has been known to have the culture of excellence and left a challenge to all the athletes.
“I challenge all of you to push yourself to the limits and even beyond with a heart of excellence,” said Garcia.
Angeles echoed the same sentiment.
“We are very lucky that PRISAA is finally in Cebu. Everytime we come here, we feel at home. We can identify the best athletes that would best represent the country in international events. The well known universities here contributed greatly for the development of sports. And I believe that the level of competition among all the regions will be equal,” said Angeles.
Games
Meanwhile, all games will go full blast today in different venues.
Among the events to be contested are basketball, baseball, beach volley, indoor volleyball, sepak takraw, softball, football, athletics, swimming, boxing, badminton, chess, karatedo, lawn tennis, taekwondo, dance sports and table tennis. Judo has also been included but only as an exhibition sport. —/EBV (FREEMAN)