Unless storm signal no.1 is raised City Olympics to go on but all games definitely suspended on Friday due to super typhoon

CEBU, Philippines -  Unless the Philippine Athmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declares Signal 1 when super typhoon "Yolanda" hits the Visayas region today, action continues for most of the sporting events featured in the 23rd Cebu City Olympics.

During yesterday's formal opening of the multi-sport competition at the Cebu City Sports Center, Mayor Michael Rama announced that there will be no classes in all levels today and tomorrow, but games will go on as scheduled today if  the weather  will be okay.

On Friday though when the super typhoon is expected to go full blast, all games are definitely cancelled.

“Let us be ready at all times, just like boyscouts. We will continue the games today unless it's going to be signal no.1 to keep everybody safe. But on Friday, there will definitely be no classes and no games in the Cebu City Olympics,” said Rama.

CCSC manager and DepEd sports consultant Ricky Ballesteros, for his part, said it's a standard operating procedure in any sporting event that games will be automatically suspended for everyone's safety especially when the ones involved are elementary and secondary students.

On the lighter side, Rama reminded all the athletes and coaches to value the spirit of sportsmanship.

“No one can go wrong when you always value the spirit of sportmanship.You become better when with it,” he said.

In the search for Miss City Olympics, Abellana National School's April Smith passes on her secondary crown to another ANS student in Maria Ysabel Cabido. University of San Jose-Recoletos' Rica Jane Rivera ended as first runner-up, while Sheena Marie  Fabular is the second runner-up.

In the elementary level, Mary Grace Aya-ay of  Clarita Bacalso Dacua College under South District-7 romped off with the tiara as North District-3's Thesaly Tejano and South District-4's Ellaine Jane Becerel completed her court.

Both Cabido and Aya-ay also got the best in sports attire award.

In the games proper, Don Bosco Technology Center virtually entered the semifinal round in elementary football after it dumped the Centre for International Education (CIE), 13-0.

DBTC will face next San Jose ES of  Talamban, but they have to meet at a later date as all games are cancelled tomorrow.

In the secondary battle, the DBTC booters opened their title defense with a 1-0 win against ANS.

Meanwhile, the cheerdance contest was done yesterday, but the winners will be announced only during closing ceremonies along with the overall winners and the special awardees.

Wushu tournament manager Ernesto Vergara, on the other hand, said the event is cancelled completely and that they will just identify who are the City's representatives in this martial art for the  CVIRAA Meet.

Wushu have been added as a demonstration sport in the CCO along with billiards, futsal and wrestling since these sporting disciplines are now included in the Palarong Pambansa.  (FREEMAN)