WESTERN Visayan delegates are looking forward to an improved campaign in the 61st Palarong Pambansa, which opens today at the Quirino Stadium in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
Called the Blue Barons, they are expected to have a better run compared to the past few editions, with Negros Occidental – formerly with the recently abolished Negros Island Region – returning to its fold.
Blue Barons will parade 662 contingents, most of whom from Iloilo province (229). Negros Occidental comprised 186; Aklan, 66; Capiz, 39; Antique, 18; and Guimaras, 13.
“We are expecting a better showing from [Western Visayas] this year,” said Department of Education undersecretary Tonisito Umali. “Malaki ang effect noong pagbalik ng Negros Occidental sa kanila.”
In the 2017 edition in San Jose, Antique, Blue Barons placed third overall with 38 gold, 29 silver and 40 bronze medals, while Negros Island Region placed fourth with 26-27-36.
To be played this year are track and field, swimming, archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, billiards, boxing, chess, football, futsal, gymnastics, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, and wushu.
Demo events include aero gymnastics, dancesports and pencak silat. Differently abled athletes will have their events as well.
President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to grace the opening ceremony for the second straight year.
Palarong Pambansa is an annual multisport event, organized and governed by the Department of Education, involving student-athletes from 17 regions.
It aims to promote physical education and sports as integral parts of basic education for the Filipino youth to become responsible and globally competitive citizens.
The event also aims to inculcate in their minds the spirit of discipline, teamwork, excellence, fair play, solidarity, sportsmanship, and other inherent values, and promote and achieve peace through sports.
In addition, it targets to widen the bases for talent identification, selection, recruitment, training, and exposure for students to serve as athlete roster of national sports associations for international competitions./PN
