STA. ANA -- Third District Representative Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales and Mayor Rommel "Omeng" Concepcion launched on Saturday an inter-barangay basketball tournament here in a bid to promote sports as an avenue for good health and wholesome competition.

Donning their yellow and green uniforms, teams from all 14 barangays -- San Agustin, San Bartolome, San Isidro (Quenabwan), San Joaquin, San Jose, San Juan, San Nicolas (Sepung Iog), San Pablo, San Pedro, San Roque (Tuklung), Santa Lucia (Kalinan), Santa Maria (Balen Bayu), Santiago and Santo Rosario (Pagbatuan) -- participated in the competition dubbed as "Congressman Dong Gonzales and Mayor Omeng Concepcion Basketball Tournament."

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The program started with a grand parade leading to the covered court in Barangay San Juan for the formal program that was attended by about a thousand spectators.

Gonzales, who was guest of honor during the opening rites, said that the event is part of his on-going plans for sports development in the district. He added that cash prices and incentives await the winners of the basketball contest.

He said the grand champion will bring home P40,000 while the second, third and fourth placers will get P30,000, P20,000 and P10,000, respectively. The most valuable player will also get P5,000 and each of the mythical five, to be determined during the awarding ceremonies, will receive P5,000 each. Each team will also receive some P1,500 each as operating allowance during the games.

"This is a well rounded approach to address our sports programs particularly for the youth. This kind of competitions is something that we want to institutionalize so that our youth can expect some competition each year," Gonzales said.

Gonzales, along with Concepcion, formally opened the competition with special guests like television personality Jimmy Santos, Board Member Raul Macalino and Mexico Councilor Trina Dizon in the newly constructed covered court funded by the congressman last year.

Concepcion said that covered courts constructed by Gonzales in different Barangays of Sta. Ana should be fully utilized to host sports programs and activities of the different barangays.

"These facilities should be maximized and become the focal point of barangay activity. Our barangays have much to be thankful for to Congressman Gonzales," Concepcion said. He also reminded the players who joined the competition to keep the spirit of sportsmanship alive and to avoid brawls during the tournament.