DIPOLOG CITY -- Preparations are underway for some 1,200 athletes and officials who are all set to join the Western Mindanao Region Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) Meet slated February 19-22 at the Zamboanga del Norte Sports Complex in Dipolog City.

This year, the annual sports event is sponsored by both the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Norte and the City Government of Dipolog.

Professor Elbert C. Atilano, regional executive director and the secretary-general and treasurer of the Prisaa Western Mindanao, said the delegates slated to vie for medals in the Prisaa come from the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Pagadian, Zamboanga and Isabela in Basilan province, and the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay.

The sports events are baseball (men), basketball (men and women), football (team-men), sepak takraw sports, softball (women), volleyball (men and women), athletics, (men and women), badminton (men and women), chess (men and women), dance sports (individual-mixed), karatedo sports (men and women), lawn tennis (men and women), swimming (men and women), table tennis (men and women), and taekwondo (men and women).

Prisaa, which believes in the philosophy "A sound mind in a sound body," envisions being the venue of sports, academic, and cultural development of the Filipino youth who are expected to bring pride, honor and prestige to the country.

"PRISAA is an organization committed to harnessing the youth's potentials for excellence in sports, academics, and cultural activities for a competitive and strengthened Republic, Atilano stressed.

One of the exciting events in this year's PRISAA Meet is the inclusion of Dance Sports into the regular sports events. But, instead of competing by city or province, Dance Sports' entries will come from different schools all over the region.