THREE new events will be played as a regular sports when the 2019 edition of the annual Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (Caraa) kicks off on February hosted by Apayao province.
Ronald Castillo, division supervisor of the Department of Education in Apayao, said the three events will include aero gymnastics, pencak silat, and dance sports.
“This is a strategic preparation for us as we anticipate the three becoming regular sports in the Palarong Pambansa,” added Castillo.
Baguio City lorded the dance sport competition with two gold medals while snatching three more in pencak silat and another three in aero gymnastics when these three events where played as a demo sports last year.
Benguet snatched seven in those three events while Abra had two gold medals in pencak silat with Apayao bagging two in dance aero gymnastics.
“The inclusion of these three events as a regular sport is for us to get better. The earlier we prepare, the better. We also develop our athletes and coaches,” added Castillo.
He cited the inclusion of wushu and wrestling as regular sports event in the annual regional meet, years before they became a part of the overall medal count in the 2017 edition of the Palarong Pambansa.
Apayao’s preparation of the annual sports meet is now in full swing with the installation of its rubberized track oval at the Apayao Ecotourism and Sports Complex located in Payanan, in Luna town.
Vincent Talattag, Apayao provincial administrator, said P60 million was earmarked for the installation of the tartan tracks and the improvement of the different playing venues for Caraa.
Apayao first hosted Caraa in 2013 and hopes to duplicate the success of hosting the regional meet after the construction of its sports complex that includes an Olympic size swimming pool.
Aside from the three, 23 other sports event will be played during the competition with Baguio City eyeing to defend the overall title anew.
The Summer Capital scooped 222 golds including 102 silvers and 61 bronze medals as it clung to the overall title again in last year’s edition hosted by Abra.
Benguet placed second with 38 gold medal followed by Ifugao which improved to third place as it gathered 36 gold medals.