Duterte to grace grand PNG opening

CEBU, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will grace the opening ceremony of the Philippine National Games (PNG) slated on May 19-25 here in the Queen City of the South, marking the second time the Chief Executive will agree to serve as a keynote speaker of a national sporting event this year.

Phl Sports Commission chair William “Butch” Ramirez and commissioner Ramon Fernandez yesterday confirmed Duterte’s presence in the week-long event that serves as the National Championships of participating National Sports Associations.

“The President loves sports and he wants to inspire our young athletes,” said Ramirez.

Duterte was also present in the opening of the Palarong Pambansa in Vigan, Ilocos Sur a month ago. He was also the guest speaker in the Palaro in San Jose, Antique last year.

Fernandez, the commissioner in charge of the PNG, said they have also invited Executive Secretary Salvador Medaldea, Cabinet Sec. Leoncio Ebasco, Jr., Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano as well as Phl Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas and secretary-general Patrick Gregorio to attend the opener at the Cebu City Sports Center.

On the other hand, the local organizers vowed to put on a remarkable opening show.

"It's an opening ceremony that is something they will cherish and they will not forget for the rest of their lives as an athlete," said opening program coordinator Ricky Ballesteros.

Ballesteros said his idea for the grand kick-off salvo will be a fusion of an ultra modern concept with a touch of Cebuano culture. "It's gonna be like very Cebuano siya but with an ultra modern concept."

"The parade will be all the regional athletes and delegations will be highlighted on the parade. We will have dancers, performers in traditional costumes representing different regions. Since it's nighttime, lighted ang mga costumes. As much as possible in any segment, naa mi mga special effects," said Ballesteros, adding that something new to the eye of the spectators is being worked out.

"I hope this will be realized in the lighting of the urn of peace and unity because this is something that has not been done in the past opening that we had. Hopefully it will be materialized. This is something that we should look forward to."

Meanwhile, the PSC will hand out incentives in the form of sports program and equipment to the top five local government units. The best performing LGU will receive a sports program package worth P5 million, while the second to fifth placers will get incentives worth P4M, P3M, P2M and P1M, respectively.

The country’s government sports agency is expecting about 10,000 participants competing in 22 sports including centerpiece track and field and Olympic events swimming, boxing archery, gymnastics, taekwondo, cycling and weightlifting.

The other disciplines to be played in the week-long meet are arnis, badminton, chess, dancesports, judo, karatedo, sepak takraw, softball, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, volleyball, beach volley and rugby. — Philippine STAR News Service