SCUAA off the wraps in Isabela

ILAGAN, Isabela  ,Philippines – Hostilities in the 2011 SCUAA National Olympics go full blast today at the Melanio Sports Complex with more than 5,000 athletes and officials taking part in 14 sporting events.

One hundred nine state universities and colleges in 16 regions all over the country are represented in this prestigious, week-long competition organzied by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) and hosted by the provincial government of Ilagan, Isabela.

Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy III yesterday formally welcomed the participants who will compete in 14 sporting events – athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball chess, dancesports, football, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, taekwondo, table tennis and volleyball.

Also launched is the “Search for the Miss SCUAA 2011” which will choose the country’s representative to the coming Miss University World in Seoul, South Korea.

The beauty contest is scheduled at 6 p.m. today at the FLDY Coliseum.

“The 2011 SCUAA National Olympics is a good vehicle for the tertiary students to participate in sports competition. It will also enable the outstanding athletes from all over the country to show their skills and talents and someday represent the country in international sports competitions ,” said PASUC president Lauro Tacbas.

Tacbas is being assisted in the running of the event by Roger Perez, president of the Cagayan State University-Tuguegarao City and secretary-general of the 2011 SCUAA National Olytmpics, and Romeo Quilang, president of the host Isabela State University and PASUC vice-president for Luzon.

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

The Parokya ni Edgar wil be the featured artists during the Athletes Night on Feb. 24.

The championships, 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.