ATHLETES from four countries will be seeing action in Cebu for the Asia-Pacific University Games, which starts today at the University of San Carlos (USC) Main Campus Gymnasium.
Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Japan and host Philippines will vie in the invitational meet that has three sporting events: basketball, table tennis and badminton. Games will be played in various venues around the city.
The event aims to promote camaraderie and strengthen ties between the participating countries, according to event coordinator, Bernard Ricablanca.
“This is an invitational event. Our main goal for this is to promote camaraderie and fellowship, nothing more,” said Ricablanca.
Three universities from Cebu joined hands to host this event. These are the University of Cebu (UC), USC and the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F).
In today’s opening ceremonies at the USC gym, Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) Chairman Edward Hayco will do the opening remarks while Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will welcome the delegates.
The oath of sportsmanship will be headed by UC’s ace table tennis player Dannel Jay Tormis. Tormis is a gold medalist in the 10th University International Sports Fiesta held in Malaysia earlier this year.
The oath of officiating officials will be done by Jose Murillo, who is the event’s deputy technical director. The event will be formally opened by David Ong, the executive president of the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP).
The opening program will start at 12 noon today.