Gov. Cup sporting events launched

CEBU, Philippines – The versatile and dynamic Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia formally launched the annual tri-sporting event under her administration yesterday at the Capitol Social Hall. These are the 6th Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup for men and women, the 3rd Gov. Cup Airsoft Competition and the 4th Gov. Cup Horseshow Competition.

In the sixth edition of the grandest volleyball event in the region and perhaps in the entire country, the organizing Cebu Volleyball Association (CEVA) is expecting a total of 51 teams comprising the 44 municipalities and seven cities in Cebu.

During the coaches and team managers' meeting last July 28, only Daanbantayan did not send any representative but CEVA headed by Jun San Juan will follow up on the participation of the northernmost municipality of mainland Cebu.

Lapu-Lapu City is no longer taking part in the GUV Cup because it is already a highly urbanized city.

A new challenge is up for the participants in the GUV Cup as each team is allowed to pick up at least two imports.

San Juan said that this new rule is being enforced as a way of motivating the teams to excel as they bring the competition to a higher level.

A player is also eligible to play for a certain squad if he/she has one year residency in that certain municipality or city by virtue of marriage or employment.

GUV Cup started in 2005 and was intended only for women players. It was only last year that the men's division was included to make the tournament better and bigger.

GUV Cup will have its general assembly on August 21 at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC). The deadline for the submission of entries is on September 6.

The Gov. Cup Airsoft, on the other hand, is now on its second season and counts the islands of Bantayan and Camotes as its latest addition of competitors.

It aims to make airsoft as one of the sports that will cater tourism in the different cities and municipalities of Cebu.

The Camotes leg fires off on August 28-29 in San Francisco and it will be followed by the Bantayan leg next month.

In the 4th season of the Gov. Cup Horseshow and Competition, the north qualifying run will be in October, which will be followed by the south qualifying run in December.

The top nine finishers from both runs will represent the province for the National Games in February next year in Mandaue City. (THE FREEMAN)