AFTER two years, Baguio City will most likely be the host of the 2020 edition of the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (Caraa).
Gaudencio Gonzales, Baguio City Sports coordinator, confirmed the city is ready to take the hosting chore after other local government units in the Cordillera failed to signify their intention to house the weeklong regional sports meet.
“Willing naman ang city. Yung mga facilities natin ready naman na. (The city is willing. Our facilities are ready) We have informed the city administrator and I think there is already a letter to the Department of Education (DepEd) the city is willing to host,” said Gonzales.
The Summer Capital hosted the affair for three consecutive years from 2015 to 2017 before Abra and Apayao welcomed the largest gathering of student athletes in the region in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
DepEd-CAR earlier announced they have been seeking bidders to host the biggest annual regional sports competition for 2020, 2021, and 2022.
The early identification of hosts will ensure well prepared sports facilities, billeting schools as well as athletes and coaches according to DepEd officials.
May Eclar, DepEd CAR regional director in an earlier press release said this will allow would-be hosts to have ample time to prepare standard sports facilities as well as enough billeting centers for student-athletes.
Agustin Gumuwang, regional sports coordinator, reiterated the bidders should consider first and foremost their sports facilities that includes a rubberized track oval that is accessible and free to the general public.
DepEd officials hope that the provision of sports facilities by the local government units that are at par with international standards for both competitions and trainings will redound to the discovery and development of outstanding Cordilleran athletes.
Aside from the facilities, the host locality should have available basic services such as medical and dental, communications, water and electric power supply and the peace and order situation in the locality must be excellent and conducive to the holding of the regional activity.
Eclar said that the capability and willingness of the LGU to shoulder expenses necessary for the hosting of the Caraa Meet, including construction and renovation of sports facilities, billeting and other infrastructure requirements is also part of the criteria.