Monday, March 19, 2007 14 delegations hunt for glory, as Cebu City aims for 14 in a row By Jade S. Violeta Sun.Star Staff Reporter
DUMAGUETE City—Fourteen delegations from all over the region will start their pursuit of fame and glory, as hostilities in the Central Visayas Regional Athletics Association (CVRAA) regional meet comes off the wraps in different venues here.
Headed by 13-time overall champion Cebu City Niños, the delegations will be starting their bids in both the elementary and secondary divisions in 19 events.
The Cebu City Niños, spearheaded by the University of Cebu athletes, will formally open their bid in track and field, lawn tennis, table tennis, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, arnis, archery, sipa, sepak takraw, dancesports, badminton, boxing, chess, taekwondo, gymnastics and swimming.
But the Niños hunt for the rare 14th straight overall title will not be a walk in the park as the other delegations have become stronger over the years, especially the Cebu Province, which has formed a formidable cast in their bid to snap the dominance of Cebu City.
At the opening ceremony yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino Freedom Park oval, sports officials of the meet, which has as theme “School Sports Power For Peace,” urged all the athletes, coaches and tournament officials to be honest.
“Do not cheat, play fair,” Department of Education Undersecretary on Legal Affairs Franklin Sunga told the participants in yesterday’s affair.
“I’m reminding you all that dishonest people cannot achieve honor,” he said.
Sunga also encouraged individuals to value the spirit of sportsmanship in order to commit peace in the country.
DepEd Region 7 chief Carolino Mordeno and NegOr Governor George Arnaiz were also present in the affair.
The colorful opening ceremony witnessed by thousands of spectators was highlighted by song and dance presentations of students from the host city.
The students of SPED-FTMS Siaton District made a unique presentation of a doxology and delivered the national anthem in a song and dance interpretation.
The Negros Oriental High School choir group serenaded the audience with the Negros Oriental Hymn.
