National Games to open in Bacolod Sunday

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission (POC-PSC) National Games will kick off on Sunday here with a fun run featuring football stars Phil and James Younghusband of the Philippine Azkals leading about 2,500 runners, the organizers said.

Government officials of host province Negros Occidental and cities of Bacolod, Talisay, Silay, and Bago are also attending the opening ceremonies, said Philippine Sports Commissioner and National Games in-charge Jose Luis Gomex.

The fun run will encourage a lifestyle of fitness not only to athletes but also to the public, Gomez said.

All athletes from 34 National Sports Associations, who will compete in the National Games, will join the fun run. Albert Almendralejo, member of the PSC organizing group, revealed.

Cheerleaders from Manila, Bacolod’s MassKara dancers and local entertainers highlight the pompous kick-off bash.

Meanwhile, participants and members of the national pool have started to arrive in Negros Occidental with gymnastics, canoe kayak and dragonboat being the first in the list of NSAs.

The bulk of the contingent arrived yesterday with athletics, beach volleyball, karatedo, indoor volleyball heading for Bacolod, while muay thai athletes will go directly to Bago City. 

Futsal and pencak silat competitors will be brought to Talisay City, while arnis players will scout the venue in Silay City.

Billiards, fencing and softball players are expected to arrive today, together with table tennis, archery and sepak takraw. The venues of their games will be in Talisay and Silay, respectively.

Judo, sailing, swimming, weightlifting, windsurfing and cycling entries will arrive in the province on Sunday.

Soft tennis and wrestling athletes are due late as their events are scheduled on May 28 and 29 yet along with wushu and triathlon. (FREEMAN)