ANGELES CITY -- The City Government here will host this year's Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA), bringing in some 17 school divisions from all over Central Luzon.
Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Director Mario Ramirez, in his January 4 letter to Mayor Francis "Blueboy" Nepomuceno, said the CLRAA event will serve as a prelude and testing venue for athletes to Palarong Pambansa 2010 to be held in Tarlac province.
Ramirez said that Angeles City will play host to some of the CLRAA events on February 22 to 26.
Aside from Angeles City, the DepEd had also chosen Malolos City and Bulacan town in Bulacan province to play host to other events.
Ramirez said that the regional meet is important in the selection of the best athletes to compete in the Palarong Pambansa.
He added that for a local government unit to be selected as host would mean that the city or town is recognized for its potential as a sporting center for athletes.
Nepomuceno, for his part, said the event clearly motivates the potential of Angeles City as a sporting capital. He said this re-affirms the need to construct a city sports complex to bring together all sporting venues under one roof.
"This is a good development as the event will bring in people and incidental tourists who would be able to sample the attractions that Angeles City has to offer," Nepomuceno said.
Meanwhile, City Administrator Mark Allen Sison said the city would be hosting events in Basketball, Boxing, Sepak, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Badminton, Chess, Sipa, and Tennis.
Event venues include the Holy Angel University, Smash Court, AES Covered Court, Gabaldon Building, Villa Gloria Subdivision, Angeles University Foundation, and the Angeles City National High School among others.
"We have already told our police, through the instruction of Mayor Nepomuceno, to polish a strong security plan during the duration of the event. We have also drawn some contingency plans in case of the sudden influx of people who are attending the events. Security and safety are now being the major concern of our committees," Sison said.
The event is expected to bring in around 10, 000 people, including athletes and their official delegations. Participating in the event are 17 school divisions, which include Angeles City, City of San Fernando, Tarlac province, Tarlac City, Bulacan province, Malolos City, Zambales province, Nueva Ecija province, San Jose Del Monte, Gapan City, Pampanga province, Aurora province, Cabanatuan City, Olongapo City, Balanga City, and the Science City of Muñoz.