THE Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (Cviraa) delegation will travel more than 30 hours for the 61st Palarong Pambansa, which is set on April 15 to 21 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

The delegation will leave Cebu on April 7 on a boat going to Manila, which will take 22 hours. After arriving in Manila, the athletes will take a 10- to 12-hour bus trip to Vigan.

Cebu City sports coordinator Francis Ramirez does not think that the long travel would be a factor nor affect the performance of the athletes.

“Our athletes are used to this kind of travel. I don’t think that the long travel would have an effect. We will also leave early so they can rest and also check the playing venues there,” said Ramirez.

The Cviraa athletes are focused on their preparation by doing the 20-day unified training at various playing areas in Cebu City that will last until April 7.

“The performance of the athletes in the unified training are OK. In the ball games we let them play against older players who are competing in the Prisaa (Private Schools Athletic Association),” he said.

Cviraa’s goal is to bounce back from its dismal finish at ninth place last year in Antique. The Region 7 team is looking to return to its usual ranking at fourth place.

The Cviraa athletes come from Cebu City, Cebu Province Mandaue City, Tagbilaran City, Negros Oriental, Danao City, Bayawan City, City of Naga, Talisay City, Bogo City, Toledo City, Carcar City and Tanjay City.

They will be billeted at Sta. Catalina Central School, Cabitaogan National School and Cabitaogan Elementary School.

The events to be contested are archery, athletics, arnis, badminton, baseball, basketball, billiards, boxing, chess, football, futsal, gymnastics, pencak silat, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, lawn tennis, volleyball, wrestling and wushu. (RSC)