Ormoc City almost ready for hosting EVRAA 2016

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the Yolanda devastation to infrastructure, including government buildings and facilities on November 2013, Ormoc City was still chosen as the venue for the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet 2016.

The choice of Ormoc as host of the annual sporting event in the region was generally attributed to its quick recovery after the Yolanda catastrophe, as well as its high quality sports facilities such as the Superdome, the rubberized track oval, the Olympic-sized swimming pool and various covered courts, among others.

The 2016 EVRAA, which will run from January 31 to February 6 is expected to gather 500 athletes in 13 delegations, excluding coaches and support groups, according to official sources.

As of this week, Ormocanons were in the thick of preparations for the expected influx of at least 7,000 visitors, including athletes from all provinces in Eastern Visayas, their coaches, parents, relatives and friends.

Hotels and inns and  food courts are now buffing up their stocks and personnel, while school premises and other possible venues for both quarters and events are being readied, such as the shooting range of the Philippine Army here, which is being prepared for the archery event.

While everything seems to be in order, Mayor Edward Codilla did not categorically say that Ormoc is ready, but told The Freeman that the city’s readiness as host of the regional sporting event will depend on every factor relative to its successful staging.

Codilla was apparently acting with prudence in handling this event because he did not want to preempt the result of the scheduled coordination meeting with EVRAA committees and stakeholders on January 20.

Codilla also told The Freeman he did not want the sports event tainted with politics, especially with the start of the 2016 election period. “Epal politicians usually abound during huge gatherings, like the EVRAA,” he added.  (FREEMAN)