ABOUT 1,500 athletes from the City of San Fernando Schools Division gathered Thursday, November 14, at the Mini-Convention, Heroes Hall as Mayor Edwin Santiago formally opened the 2019 City Schools Division Athletic Association Meet (CSDAAM).

In his message, Santiago said the goal of the activity "is not political" but to unify all Fernandino athletes and develop their total well-being through sports.

"One of the very important roles of education and the City Government is the total well-being of our children. I believe academic and values are not the sole areas affecting their growth. Sports do shape individuals, too. That is why, we are constantly improving our sports facilities to train and develop wholly the Fernandino children," Santiago said.

Education is the number one agenda of Santiago. Under this are his three major programs -- academic excellence, values, and sports.

Dr. Imelda P. Macaspac, officer-in-charge Office of the Schools Division Superintendent, expressed her gratitude to the unending support of Santiago to their programs and activities.

"Mayor [Santiago] allotted millions of pesos for the development of our children. One of the programs of the Mayor is the sports facility in the Civic Center. We are expecting to have an oval, swimming pool and other sports facility inside that infrastructure. Also, we thank Mayor Santiago for initiating the establishment of a Sports Academy here in the City of San Fernando," she said.

This is the 18th year that the DepEd division office is holding CSDAAM with the support of the City Government and in partnership with Globe Telecom.

In fact, the city had already produced sports champions like Alfredo Pineda Jr., Palarong Pambansa Gold Medalist from Northville Elementary School, and Lovely Joy D. Cordovilla, CLRAA Meet 2018 Gold Medalist.

For this year CSDAAM, the athletes will compete in different areas of sports like arnis, basketball, badminton, billiards, chess, dance sport, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, and volleyball.

Winners in the three-day event will be announced during the culminating day of the activity on November 16, 2019. (PR)