THE Xavier University (XU) Crusaders of Cagayan de Oro will be among the 1,000 student-athletes and officials to join anew the annual Jesuit Athletic Meet (JAM) 2018 to be hosted by the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu on October 25 to 30.
Athletic games will actually start on October 26 at the host campus in Canduman, Mandaue City, except for badminton and lawn tennis.
“The annually-held JAM is very significant and memorable for the Crusaders kay in the past, swerte na ga-excel ta sa basketball, chess and table tennis. In fact, partly sa JAM na event na discover atong senior varsity player in JP Erram nga gadula na karon sa PBA,” XU sports coordinator Arvin Martinez told SunStar Cagayan de Oro.
With its goal, “To foster fellowship and unity among the schools in the field of sports,” the Jesuit-run sportsfest will also have the Ateneo de Manila University, Xavier School San Juan, Xavier School Nuvali, Ateneo de Naga University, Ateneo de Iloilo, Ateneo de Davao, Ateneo de Zamboanga, Loyola College of Culion and host SHS-Ateneo de Cebu among the participants.
Events on tap include basketball, volleyball (boys and girls), football, futsal (girls), athletics (boys and girls), table tennis (boys and girls), chess (boys and girls), lawn tennis (boys and girls), swimming (boys and girls) and badminton (boys and girls).
JAM event manager Vinnie Tan, in a press statement, has this to say: “We are excited and raring to host the JAM 2018 with our Ateneo Hearter hospitality. The JAM will be more than just sports. It will be a memorable experience for all.”
Tan said JAM will also be a showcase for culture and arts as the opening ceremony on October 25 will include performances by the Gonzaga College of Indonesia (also a Jesuit school), the popular Maskara dance troupe of Ateneo de Davao, SHS-Ateneo’s Agila and Ateneo Blue Dance Troupe and the special participation of the University of Cebu Dance Troupe.