Athletes from the National Capital Region do some fine-tuning as they practice at the Bicol University Sports Complex in Legazpi City. (INQUIRER PHOTO)
The Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (Cviraa) begins its quest for redemption as the 59th edition of the Palarong Pambansa unfurls today at the Albay Sports and Tourism Complex in Legazpi City.
The Bisdaks slumped to one of their worst finishes last year when they managed just sixth place with a haul of 18 gold medals, 29 silvers and 29 bronzes, Cviraa’s worst finish in the annual multi-sporting event is seventh.
“The challenge is to improve. We are targeting a third or a second-pace finish,” said Senior Education Program Supervisor Zenaida Gocotano of the Department of Education (DepEd)-Cebu City Division.
Cviraa is looking for a strong campaign as it bids to host Palaro next year.
“Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will be coming over to express the city’s desire to host the event,” Gocotano said.
The Visayas will get the chance to host the week-long event with Cebu City, Tacloban, Iloilo and Bacolod as possible hosts.
Possible venues for the 2017 Palaro will be announced in October.
Gocotano said Cviraa remains a potent force after it lost some athletes following the creation of the Negros Island Region (NIR).
“Cviraa is composed of 400-plus athletes. We lost athletes from Siquijor, Dumaguete City, Guihulngan, Bayawan, Bais and Tanjay since they are now part of NIR.
But that will have no effects since our core athletes are from Cebu mainland,” said Gocotano.
Perennial champion National Capital Region (NCR) is tipped to once again dominate the competition pitting the country’s top elementary and secondary athletes.
Ushering in today’s opening is the traditional parade at 2 p.m. Some games started yesterday.
Region 7’s secondary football team was set to play Western Visayas late afternoon yesterday.
According to Gocotano, the Cebu City government donated P2 million for the region’s campaign, while the DepEd-Cebu City Division chipped in P100,000.