CEBU, Philippines — Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) squads open their bid to bring home as much medals for the region as the actions return in the Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City today.
DepEd-Central Visayas Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez said they are all ecstatic to be playing in the Palaro anew after a four year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The multi-sporting event had to be set aside at the height of the pandemic for the safety of the athletes. The last time CVIRAA was in the Palaro was in 2019 in Davao City where they finished fifth overall.
Jimenez said, just like in the past, they will be out to play their best. According to Jimenez, CVIRAA is lucky to be billeted in a school that is very near the main sports complex. Wrestling and some other sports start ahead of the opening ceremonies today, said Jimenez.
Unlike in the previous years, the revival outing of the Palaro leveled up the standards by setting higher qualifications in measurable events while staging cluster events for ball games to ensure that only the best-of-the-best will be playing the Palaro proper.
CVIRAA is able to move up in the national finals in most of the ballgames after emerging as one of the two top squads during the cluster meet in Cebu.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Councilor Dondon Hontiveros are expected to either grace today’s opening or in the closing ceremonies as Cebu City bids to host the next Palarong Pambansa in 2024.