2012 cviraa meet kicks off in dumaguete: All eyes on Cebu City athletes

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Perennial champion Cebu City Niños will begin their quest for overall supremacy in the 2012 Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet today at the Lamberto C. Macias Sports Complex here.

Defending its title is no longer a matter of interest for all as the bigger issue rests on how Cebu City will produce top-grade athletes capable of representing Central Visayas in next year's Palarong Pambansa also to be hosted by this progressive capital city of Negros Oriental.

The five-long athletic meet that serves as the region's qualifying for the prestigious Palaro kicked off yesterday with more than 6,000 athletes from elementary and secondary level taking part.

Cebu City is fielding in 433 athletes, while Dumaguete has the biggest number of contingent with 586, which is expected of them being the hosts. The other competing delegations are Oriental Negros, Bohol, Siquijor and the cities of Tagbilaran, Bogo, Bayawan, Toledo, Tagbilaran, Talisay, Naga, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Guihulngan and Danao.

Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo led the list luminaries who graced the colorful opening salvo yesterday.

“We may be divided by bodies of water but together we can show that we can form a strong team (Region 7) to compete in the 2013 Palarong Pambansa,” said Degamo. “I am so thankful that for the first time, Negros Oriental will host the Palarong Pambansa and together with other cities and provinces of Region 7 we will protect our turf.”

Among the events to be contested in the multi-event gathering are archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, chess, football, futsal (indoor football), gymnastics, karatedo, sipa takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, and volleyball. There will also be a SPED Olympics and a cultural competition.

The games will be played in different venues including the Silliman University, Mariano Perdices Coliseum, Sibulan Ballfield, St.Paul University, Negros Oriental High School, Lorenzo Teves Aqua Center, Robinson's Place and Valencia covered court. (FREEMAN)