Olympic fest regional qualifier under way

VIGAN, Ilocos Sur – The region’s top athletes begin their chase for berths in the national finals as they plunge into action in various fronts at the start of the Central Northern Luzon Qualifying Games of the second Philippine Olympic Committee Festival at the Elpidio Quirino Stadium here today.

A total of eight gold medals in medal-rich athletics and four in gymnastics will be up for grabs in Day One of this weeklong event ushered in yesterday in simple rites at the newly-refurbished stadium in this scenic city.

It marked the first time in more than three decades that the province is hosting an event of this magnitude since Ilocos Sur hosted the Palarong Pambansa 35 years ago.

Host Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson officially declared the meet open before some 5,000 spectators, mostly students, and over 3,000 athletes and officials from 13 participating regions, including a 400-man strong delegation from the host province.

"We’re excited to host this event, we hope to not only foster friendship and camaraderie among the participants but also with our neighboring provinces," said Singson.

Archbishop Ernesto Salgado, DD, of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia, led the opening prayers with sports officials, led by Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco Jr. and POC and organizing committee chair Robert Aventajado, delivering inspirational messages.

Also in attendance were International Olympic Committee representative to the country Frank Elizalde, Vigan Mayor Ferdinand Medina, Bantay Mayor Chinita Parilla and Ilocos Sur Vice Gov. Deogracias Savellano.

The Philippine STAR, Globe Telecoms, AMA Computer University, Accel, Asia Brewery/Absolut, Negros Navigation and Creativity Lounge are the chief backers of the games.

Gold medals will also be up for grabs in the girls’ pole vault, discus throw, 10,000m run and long jump and the boys’ 110m hurdle and hammer throw (6 kilograms).

Gymnastics is also staking gold medals in both boys and girls rhythmic and artistic events over at the Vigan Youth gym while hostilities in arnis, baseball, chess, football, sepak takraw and table tennis also start at various venues in the city and nearby Bantay town.

Basketball, originally set to be played yesterday, was reset for today after two local governments backed out at the last minute.

Other events listed in the calendar are archery and wrestling, which unfolds on Thursday, and swimming, judo, karatedo, muay, powerlifting and taekwondo, scheduled on Saturday.

Aventajado said the games top performers will qualify to the national finals slated Oct. 1-7 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.