5,000 athletes see action in PRISAA meet today in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - The Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) is slated to formally open the PRISAA 2012 National Collegiate Games today at the Cebu City Sports Complex, it was announced by PRISAA national chairman Emmanuel Angeles. 

The opening ceremonies will be graced by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama. PRISAA national president Rev. Fr. Vicente Uy, SVD, will give the welcome remarks while PRISAA secretary general Laureano Santos will present the various delegations. PRISAA national executive director Elbert Atilano, Sr. will administer the oath of sportsmanship to be followed by the declaration of the formal opening of games by Angeles.

PRISAA will also hold its first annual general assembly where awards will be presented to those who have faithfully supported PRISAA since its revival in 1990. The awards ceremonies at 7 p.m. today at the Summit Circle Cebu will be participated in by all national and regional officers of PRISAA.

Hosted by PRISAA Region 7, the national games will see the gathering of 5,000 athletes, officials and coaches from the 17 regions who will be participating in 18 different sports and events until April 28. The search for the Mutya ng PRISAA 2012 and the vocal solo and duet competitions are slated Tuesday at the USC South Cultural Center inCebu City.

PRISAA is the country’s largest national sports association with more than 400 member colleges and universities from all 17 regions. Since its revival in 1990 by Angeles and with very minimal support from government, it has been successfully staging city, provincial, regional and national competitions every year in line with its mission geared towards countryside youth development through sports. PRISAA boasts of having trained and developed sprinters Lydia de Vega and Elma Muros, famous cagers Jerry Codiñera, Marlou Aquino and Joseph Feihl, among many others.