CVIRAA goes full blast today

CEBU, Philippines - The search for the region's representatives to the 2014 Palarong Pambansa officially begins today as games of the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet go full blast in different venues mainly at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The Cebu City Niños have been dominating the multi-sport event for the past 23 years and this year is expected to be no different more so that the organizers have decided to stick to the points system in determining the overall winner.

“During our meeting in Cagayan de Oro, it was announced that the Olympic-style of medal count will be used in the Palaro. However, for the regional meet, we have decided to stick with the points system we have been using for several years now to give all competing delegations a good chance to be on top,” said DepEd-7 Physical Education and School Sports (PESS)-7 chief Vivian Ginete.

No matter what system DepEd is going to use though, Cebu City sports coordinator Zenaida Gocotano said they are ready to reassert their dominance in the annual sports conclave.

“Of course, we are going give our best not only as a host, but also as a winning team,” said Gocotano.

Gocotano sees Mandaue City, bannered by Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, as their toughest rival for ther overall supremacy.

“I'm confident that we will remain as the champion. For the past 23 years, it had always been us. I cannot, however, promise of breaking our medal output last year,” added Gocotano.

Aside from Cebu City and Mandaue, the other contending divisions are Cebu Province, Bohol, Tagbilaran, Bogo, Danao, Toledo, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay, Toledo, Carcar, Naga, Bais, Bayawan, Dumaguete, Guilhulngan, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and Tanjay.

Cebu City is fielding in entries in all events featured even in the demonstration sports such as wushu, wrestling, billiards and futsal. Wushu will be contested at the CCSC, futsal at Don Bosco Technology Center, wrestling at Baseline and billiards at Gaisano Countrymall.

Archery will take place at the Family Park in Talamban, badminton at Racquet Zone in Banilad, baseball at the Aboitiz Sports Field, tennis at Alta Vista, Baseline and Pardo Tennis Club, and elementary girls volleyball at Sacred Heart gym.

Arnis will be at the Ramon Duterte MNHS, elementary basketball at USC main and secondary basketball at the Cebu Coliseum and Cogon-Ramos gym, secondary girls basketball at Cebu Eastern College, football and taekwondo at Don Bosco Technology Center, sipa and softball at UC-METC, and sepak takraw at Basak gym.

The centerpiece athletics and swimming events will be at the CCSC along with boxing and table tennis, while chess will be played at DeEd-Cebu City division office.

The top performers of the five-day joust will earn the right to represent Central Visayas in the Palarong Pambansa set May 4-10 in Laguna. (FREEMAN)