Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2008 NMRAA Meet blasts off Tuesday By Lynde Salgados
WHETHER the financially cash-strapped Cagayan de Oro team will look different or whatever in their sports attire will be known Tuesday as the 2008 Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association (NMRAA) Meet kicks with a parade around the city.
"We might be the poorest in uniform but it doesn't mean that our athletes will not be giving out their best," said Porferio "Jun" Padinit, assistant to Cagayan de Oro Athletic Association (Coaa) team manager Delia Agbon.
Already, Padinit expects rival delegations to outshine Coaa athletes in Tuesday's opening parade set at 1 p.m. as they are said to be well-prepared and much more abundant when it comes to financial support.
"We have no uniform jackets and new shoes compared to other teams in Northern Mindanao pero naanad na man `ta ana (we're already accustomed to that)," said Padinit as he recalled that Coaa even once participated in a Regional Meet parade in Tubod, Lanao del Norte with no uniforms at all.
"Sa una gani naulahi pag-abot ang uniforms sa Tubod so, bulabog kaayo. Sa allowance anad na usab atong mga atleta. Kon sa uban P1,000 to P2,000 per head ang mahatag sa ilang mga bata P300 usab sa ato during the Koronadal Palaro (Our uniforms were in complete mess during the past Regional Meet in Lanao. There's also a big difference when comparing our athletes' allowance to others especially during the Koronadal Palaro)," added Padinit.
Padinit urged the local tri-media to monitor the NMRAA parade "aron ila g'yong makomparar ang kalainan nga mahimong kapanaminan aron sab makamata atong mga opisyales sa siyudad (So that they can see the difference for them to mirror out the situation. Covering the event can be a tool to serve as wake up call to our less concerned city officials)."
Some 160 elementary and 192 secondary athletes from Cagayan de Oro will see action in the 2008 NMRAA Meet the province of Misamis Oriental is hosting here from April 1 to 4 at Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center.
Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar S. Moreno and Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Constantino Jaraula will be at hand to grace the 2:30 p.m. opening ceremony along with Director IV Estrella Abid-Babano and Ceso IV Sinforosa A. Guiñares, Ph.D. of Misamis Oriental Division and City School Division Superintendent Myrna S. Motoomul.
Misamis Oriental Vice Governor Norris Casiño Babiera will also deliver welcome remarks before the participating athletes, coaches and delegation officials.
As usual, various field demonstrations will highlight the opening rites with MOGCHS and Sugbongcogon National High School students showcasing their stuffs.
