CVIRAA Meet unfurls today

CEBU, Philippines - Thousands of athletes, officials and coaches coming from different areas in the region will converged today as the 2016 Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet gets underway at the Teodoro Mendiola Sr. Sports Oval in Naga City.

Under the theme "Go With A Unified Spirit Towards Excellence in Sports," the city government of Naga led by Mayor Valdemar  "Val" Chiong will go full force in welcoming the delegates especially that this is the first time that they are hosting this multi-sport event.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III is expected to show up in today's kick-off bash together with DepEd-7's Officer-in-Charge Director Juliet Jeruta.

Naga's hometown pride Vince Anton Louise Alforque, gold medallist in the Milo Little Olympics, will lead the oath of amateurism, while DepEd's chief administative officer Dr. Victor  Yntig spearheads the oath of officiating officials.

Another young but promising tennis player from Naga in John Clyde Laquio will light the CVIRAA friendship cauldron.

Delegates coming from the 13 schools divisions as well as the guests and spectators will also get to see Naga's talents, with the Dagitab Festival winners showcasing their wares through playground demonstration.

Games proper will begin tomorrow yet in different parts of Naga except swimming, which will be held at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Aside from host Naga and perennial champion Cebu City Niños, others vying for supremacy are Cebu Province, Bohol, Carcar, Danao, Bogo, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Siquijor, Tagbilaran, Talisay and Toledo City.

Starting this year, CVIRAA will no longer have Dumaguete City and all other divisions under the province of Negros Oriental as they are already under a new region alongside Negros Occidental. (FREEMAN)