Wednesday, January 24, 2007 Zamboanga retains title as Prisaa champion By Ulysses Israel
Zamboanga City emerged as the over-all champion in the recently concluded Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) regional games for 2007 held from January 19-21, at the Claret College of Isabela City, Basilan province.
Zamboanga City won 111 gold, 47 silver and 21 bronze medals, according to Prof. Elbert Atilano Sr., Prisaa regional executive director.
Dipolog City came in second with 28 gold, 22 silver, and 11 bronze medals while Pagadian City got the third place with 9 gold, 29 silver and 7 bronze medals. Isabela City earned the fourth place winning 22 silver medals and 21 bronze medals.
Atilano said the regional Prisaa will meet next month to select the athletes that will represent the Western Mindanao region in the national Prisaa meet scheduled to be held in Iloilo City in the middle of April, this year.
He declared the regional Prisaa Meet at Isabela City last week as "an overwhelming success." It was the first time a regional sports event was held in the city.
Councilor Peter Eisma said during the closing ceremonies that the hosting of Prisaa by Isabela City is a proof that the city has finally emerged as one of the "convenient and viable site" for any big event such as convention and athletic meet.
He said the people of Isabela City and the city government were elated by the opportunity to host the prestigious regional games of the Prisaa.
He told the 700 delegates and officials to become "ambassadors of goodwill" of Isabela City and to tell the people that the city is "a place like paradise."
