The Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games opened today at the Cagayan Sports Complex in Tuguegarao City with more than 20,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 400 private schools across the country.
The ceremonial start involved a torch relay anchored by two time Olympic long jumper and Cagayan native, Lerma Elmira Bulauitan-Gabito. PRISAA National President Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) based Ester Susan Perez-Mari lit the ceremonial urn that represented the actual opening of the games.
Sport competitions opened with 19 gold medals to be contested on the initial day. There were morning events in the men’s 5,000m, women’s shot put, men’s long jump, boys 5,000m, girls shot put and boys long jump. The afternoon had events in the men’s shot put, women’s long jump, women’s 100m hurdles, girls 100m hurdles, men’s 110m hurdles, boys 110m hurdles, girls 400m, boys 400m, women’s 5,000m, women’s 400m, men’s 400m, boys shot put and girls long jump.
Aside from this games, the PRISAA National Games also feature a wide variety of sports such as archery, badminton, baseball, basketball (3×3 and 5×5), beach volleyball, boxing, chess, dancesport, football, gymnastics, karatedo, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, lawn tennis, indoor volleyball and weightlifting.
Titled as Sustaining the Country’s Inclusive Grassroots Sports Program as a Pathway to the Olympics, this year’s PRISAA Games seeks to advance grassroots sports development and be a launching pad for future Filipino athletes towards international competitions.
Widespread preparations have been made to guarantee the success of the event with coordination among the provincial government, Tuguegarao City officials and the national PRISAA organization. Security arrangements involve the deployment of 50 police personnel in venues while free transport is offered for athletes and officials. The influx of participants and visitors is expected to spur local businesses, tourism and commerce in Tuguegarao and the surrounding areas.
The PRISAA National Games will run until April 11 highlighting the skills and commitment of student athletes from all over the Philippines.
