Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama strongly urged the officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City Office to host the 2016 or the 2017 Palarong Pambansa yesterday.
Rama, who spearheaded the launching of the 24th Cebu City Olympics at the DepEd Cebu City Office, said he is willing to bid for the hosting of Cebu City for the prestigious multi-sporting national meet.
Cebu City last hosted the event in 1994, the same year the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) was completed.
“I think it’s time for Cebu to host the Palarong Pambansa,” Rama said. “I have been preparing for this for a very long time.”
The 2015 Palarong Pambansa will be held in Mindanao. DepEd, however, has yet to disclosed what city in Mindanao will be the hosts.
Rama was joined yesterday by Chief education support services division Dr. Vivian Ginete of DepEd Cebu City Office, Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Rhea Mar Angtud, Schools Board officer Ronald Diola and Ricky Ballesteros, who the mayor said played a huge role the last time Cebu hosted the Palaro.
Ballesteros said the 1994 Palarong Pambansa was one of the the best editions of the national meet. He added that Cebu can do more if given the chance.
“Aside from the top of the line venues we have, what makes Cebu City ideal to host the meet for the second time is the fact that we have a sports minded mayor,” Ballesteros said.
Rama backed Ballesteros’ statement by saying he’ll make sure it’ll be a memorable experience if Cebu is able to host the sporting meet anew. “I guarantee everyone that they will have a memorable Palarong Pambansa in Cebu.”
Meanwhile, the 24th Cebu City Olympics will unfold this Friday. Competition starts Saturday and will go on on Sunday and the next weekend.
Winners in this meet will make up the Cebu City team that will compete in the CVIRAA.
Twenty-five sporting events, including four demo sports (wrestling, wushu, billiards and futsal) will be competed in the meet that will be mainly held at the CCSC.
A playground demonstration to be participated by various public schools will add color to the opening ceremony that starts 1 p.m.