WIN or Lose, the Northern Mindanao contingent to this year's Palarong Pambansa in Tarlac province is bent on putting up a good show.
To ensure that athletes will be in tip-top shape, the Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association (NMRAA) team's so-called "35-day intensive training program" is now in full swing.
"This is to show that we really mean business here," said NMRAA team manager Raymund S. Antolo, who is also a member of the Task Force on Intensive Training, headed by Department of Education-Northern Mindanao (DepEd-10) Director IV Luz S. Almeda.
Education Supervisor II Antolo said the local delegation's first ever live-in training prior to the national meet has officially started last February 25 and will end on March 31 with the spruced up Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center as its main venue.
Antolo, who also spearheaded the NMRAA in Puerto Princesa, Palawan Palaro some two years ago, said the intensive training aims to enhance the competence level of student athletes in their respective sports events.
The program, he added, will also help athletes familiarize the house rules imposed by the delegation as well as in establishing camaraderie among members in the team and in the entire delegation in general.
"Determinado atong region nga makasulod sa top 6 aron maka-bid kita for the 2011 Palaro kay maka-away naman atong Pelaez Sports Center sa Cagayan de Oro unya willing pud kaayo mo-host atong gobernador (Oscar S. Moreno) sa Misamis Oriental," one DepEd sports insider told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
The 600-member strong NMRAA delegation is set to leave here on March 31 for the Palarong Pambansa the province of Tarlac will be hosting on April 11-17.
NMRAA athletes in elementary are being billeted at the City Central School while their secondary counterparts took shelter for the month-long preparation at the Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS).
Assistant Regional Director Sinforosa A. Guinares and Schools Division Superintendent Myrna A. Motoomull serve as Almeda's co-chairwomen for the Task Force Training.
Also backing them up to make life easy for the home squad are Dr. Shirley O. Merida, Pedro H. Montejo, Victoria Gazo, Rosita Yburan, Jefi Hona, Ruth Alejado, Eulogio Suaner Jr., Johny Redondo, Dr. Mario Basalo, Myrna Castanos, Lawyer Aimee Claire E. Amora, Edgar Ya¤ez, Pedro Estano, Wilfreda T. Famador, Dr. Rosita Cang, Dr. Rogelio Bahian, Dr. Valdomero Mezo, Dr. Vida Suganob, Imelda Roma, Lorimer Janubas, Manny Janubas, Rodolfo Anggulo, Regh Lumuljo, Inday Yamut, Lita Ranulan, Alma Ipes, Pedro Montejo and Ben Espera who are mostly veteran officials.