ATHLETES from 45 schools around the country will gather at the Bacolod Arts and Youth Sports (Bays) Center when the 20th edition of University Games (Unigames) opens today at 4 p.m. with Mayor Monico Puentevella as guest speaker.
Unigames president Roger Banzuela said the technical officials, tournament managers, and coaches meeting is set at 9 a.m. also at Bays Center.
The annual games, which will run until October 30, has 13 events.
Seeing action are athletes from Luzon, including Adamson University, Arellano University, De La Salle-Araneta, De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, De La Salle-Lipa, De La Salle University Dasmarinas, De La Salle-Manila, Far Eastern University, Holy Angel University-Pampanga, Naga College Foundation, Rizal Technological University, San Beda College, University of Northern Philippines, University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta, University of Sto. Tomas, National University, Enderun Colleges, and University of the Philippines-Diliman.
Coming from the Visayas are Central Philippine University, Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion, Hercor College, Southwestern University, Negros Oriental State University, University of San Agustin, and Iloilo Doctors College.
Mindanao will have Ateneo de Davao University, Cor Jesu College-Davao City, Holy Cross of Davao College, Jose Maria College, Father Saturnino Urios University-Butuan City, St. Theresa College-Surigao, University of Mindanao-Davao, University of Mindanao-Tagum, University of Immaculate Concepcion, and Xavier University-Cagayan.
Negros Occidental-based colleges and universities include Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC), STI-West Negros University, Riverside College, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation, VMA Global College, Colegio de Sta. Ana-Victorias and host-University of St. La Salle.
Athletics will be held at Panaad Park and Stadium; badminton, Pohang Badminton Center; basketball, STI-WNU, Silay City and VMAGC;
Chess, 888 China Town Square; football, Ayala North Point, Panaad and CHMSC-Talisay; karatedo, VMAGC; lawn tennis, Montevista Tennis Court; sepak takraw, UNO-R covered court;
Swimming, Panaad swimming pool; table tennis, Amity Table Tennis Center; taekwondo, VMAGC gym; volleyball, Bays Center, Bacolod Tay Tung High School and UNO-R; and beach volleyball, Bantayan Park-Bago City.
Unigames, the brainchild of the late Bro. Rolly Dizon and Banzuela in 1995, has been the annual camp of colleges and universities for sports fellowships and camaraderie outside of their regions.
This year marked the first time that USLS, where Unigames was founded, will not host the game venues and billeting areas for athletes.