EVRAA 2016 officially starts in Ormoc

ORMC CITY, Philippines — The Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet was officially declared open last Sunday in this city.

Department of Education-Region 8 Director Luisa Bautista Yu, citing Republic Act 10588 as one of the bases for the staging of the annual sporting event, declared the start of the EVRAA, emphasizing the importance of physical activities also to excel in the academics.

“Discipline, camaraderie, physical strength and facing challenges are good attributes to develop mental readiness”, Yu told the crowd of 10,000 athletes, coaches, politicians and visitors gathered at the Ormoc Central School grounds.

Yu, while reminding the participants to be fair and honest in all of the 30 games slated for the EVRAA, thanked Mayor Edward Codilla for accepting the challenge to host the annual regional event, to improve Region 8’s ranking in coming Palarong Pambansa to be held in Legaspi City.

Region 8 had improved from number 17 in the past to number 14 ranking during the 2014 Palarong Pambansa, and then rose to number 11 last year, reaping seven golds overall.

“EVRAA is the training ground for the national games, we should contain the challenge,” Yu rallied the young athletes, and telling them: “Winning keeps you strong, losing keeps you stronger.”

Mayor Codilla, in his welcome message, also pointed out the necessity to provide the best accommodation for the young athletes and visitors. “We work hard to give the best for this occasion; this way we can reduce or eradicate the trauma from those who suffered from the natural calamities which befell our region.”

The Ormoc City government spent P35 million for the rehabilitation, construction and overall preparation of venues and quarters for the delegations. “Enjoy the experience and meet new friends,” he told them during the opening ceremonies.  (FREEMAN)