THE opening of the 2018 Kuyamis sportsfest this coming weekend will no longer be held at Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center in Cagayan de Oro.

Instead, the kick-off of the province’s much-awaited event will be hosted by the municipality of Lagonglong on Saturday, May 5.

It will be the first time in six years that the opening of Kuyamis sportsfest will be slated outside Cagayan de Oro’s premier sports haven.

“We wanted it different this time,” said Prexy Elipe, the chairman of the sportsfest.

Elipe preferred to bring the opening closer to the people of Misamis Oriental, apart from the home-and-away games during the eight-month duration of the sportsfest.

“We would not know that in the long run other municipalities would like to hold it in their localities,” he added.

Lagonglong mayor Jap Puertas said bringing the event’s opening salvo in their municipality is but a welcome development.

Around 21 localities from the province have confirmed their participation, including four newcomers and two returnees.

Basketball and volleyball games in different categories will be the sportsfest’s main attraction.