SCUAA Olympics kicks off in Isabela

MANILA, Philippines - The 2011 State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) National Olympics unwraps today at the sprawling Melanio Singson Sports Complex in Ilagan, Isabela.

Close to 5,000 athletes and officials from 109 state universities and colleges in 16 regions all over the country are taking part in the week-long competition supervised by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) and hosted by the provincial government of Ilagan, Isabela.

Isabela Gov. Faustino “Bogie” Dy III welcomes the participants who will compete in 14 sporting events, namely athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball chess, dancesports, football, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, taekwondo, table tennis and volleyball.

In addition, the Search for the Miss SCUAA 2011 will also be held to determine the country’s representative to the coming Miss University World in Seoul, South Korea.

“The 2011 SCUAA National Olympics provides an opportunity for the tertiary students to participate in sports competition and the outstanding athletes to show their skills and talents and someday represent the country in international sports competitions,” said PASUC president Dr. Lauro Tacbas.

Dr. Roger Perez, president of the Cagayan State University-Tuguegarao City and secretary-general of the 2011 SCUAA National Olympics, and Dr. Romeo Quilang, president of the host Isabela State University and PASUC vice-president for Luzon, are optimistic in the success of the games.

The opening ceremony is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. while the fellowship night with fireworks display sponsored by Gov. Dy will take place at the Guest House starting at 6 p.m.

Hostilities kick off the following day, starting at 7 a.m. The Search for the Miss National SCUAA will be held at the FLDY Colisuem in Cauayan beginning 6 p.m.

Fellowship nights hosted by Vice Gov. Rodito Albano, Ilagan Mayor Jay Diaz and Cauayan Mayor Ben Dy will also be held from Feb. 23-25.

Parokya ni Edgar will be the featured guest during the Athletes Night on Feb. 24.

The championships, as well as the awarding and closing ceremony, will be held on Feb. 26.

The participating regions are National Capital Region. Cordillera, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga/ARMM, Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao, Central Mindanao and CARAGA.