CVIRAA Meet kicks off today

CEBU, Philippines - The region’s premiere school-based sporting event, the 2010 Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet, formally unfurls with an elaborate opening ceremony today at the Ramon Durano, Sr. Memorial Sports Complex in Danao City.

The kick-off salvo will be done early in the evening featuring a 'Palabas' from the host city and division of Danao spiced up with a spectacular fireworks display.

Over 10,000 athletes, coaches, and delegation officials are expected to converge for what was earlier promised by Danao City councilor Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez as "an affair to remember."

Department of Education (DepEd) secretary Jesli Lapus and his Department of Tourism counterpart Joseph Ace Durano banner the long list of luminaries set to grace the grand opening bash.

They will be joined by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Danao City Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III, his son Rep. Red Durano and the strong force from DepEd-7 led by regional director Recaredo Borgonia.

“We would like to assure you that this will be the most attended opening ceremonies by the regional, provincial and LGU officials,” Rodriguez assured.

The traditional parade of athletes has been cancelled so as not to exhaust the athletes who are gearing up for a week-long battle on different fronts. They will just be lined up around the oval for the presentation of the different teams.

A total of 18 divisions will take part in the multi-event spectacle that serves as Region 7's qualifying for the Palarong Pambansa. -  THE FREEMAN