LAOAG CITY -- More than a hundred athletes from Ilocos Norte are set to join other athletes from Region 1 in the Palarong Pambansa 2018 in Ilocos Sur.

Of the 101 athletes, at least 20 came from other divisions in Ilocos Norte, said Gene Reginaldo, Education Program Supervisor of the Department of Education Schools Division of Ilocos Norte.

They are set to represent Ilocos Region in athletics, baseball, gymnastics, tennis, baseball, chess, taekwondo, football, and swimming.

According to Reginaldo, the Ilocos Norte athletes will be in Vigan starting April 6 for their week-long training prior to the national sporting event set on April 15 to 21 at the Quirino Stadium in Bantay, Ilocos Sur.

To date, these athletes are currently billeted at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Sports Stadium in Laoag City for their training with local coaches.

With 14 schools divisions, Region 1 is composed of four provinces namely Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.

The heritage city of Vigan in Ilocos Sur is hosting this year’s biggest youth sports event in the country after it won in the bidding against Ilagan City in Isabela, Baguio City, Bulacan and Marikina City.

Vigan hosted the same event in 1953 and 1973 when it was still called Bureau of Public Schools-Interscholastic Athletics Association. (PNA)