Isabela hosts national SCUAA sports meet

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines  – It’s all systems go for this year’s national State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) sports meet scheduled next week in Isabela.

The Isabela provincial government said it had refurbished the Melanio Singson Sports Complex in Ilagan town where the opening of the weeklong sport meet, jointly sponsored by the province and the Isabela State University (ISU), will be held Feb. 21.

At least 10,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 119 state colleges and universities, as well as guests, including local officials from all over the country, are expected to gather for the event’s opening ceremonies.

According to lawyer Noel Manuel Lopez, provincial administrator, Gov. Faustino Dy III had requested the allotment of funds for the rehabilitation of the sports complex and its facilities from the provincial board in time for the holding of the event even if it wasn’t in the original provincial budget.

With its formerly top-of-the-line facilities, the sports complex, known before as Governor Faustino N. Dy Memorial Coliseum, played host to the Palarong Pambansa during the 1990s.

“We’re really trying hard to improve the facilities. The swimming pool, for example, (is being) restored to its original state. At least, it can now be used and the facility has been given a facelift,” Lopez said.

ISU vice president Dr. Richard Ramirez confirmed that everything was already set for the event. “We just have to iron out some kinks and work on some details to avoid flaws in the management of the games.”