MANILA, Philippines – Dalawang ibon ang nasapol ng Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) sa iisang bato sa pagtatanghal ng 12th South East Asia (SEA) Youth Athletics Championships at National Open Invitational Athletics Championships sa March 2017 sa Ilagan, Isabela.
Ang SEA Youth Athle-tics ay nakatakda sa March 27-28 na katatampukan ng mga atletang 17-gulang at pababa mula sa mga kalapit na bansa at isusunod ang National Open sa March 30-April 2 na magsisilbing final tryout para sa mga local athletes na ilalaban sa SEA Games sa susunod na taon sa Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Ang dalawang event na ito ay idaraos sa P250-million City of Ilagan Sports Complex.
Pinirmahan nina PATAFA president Dr. Philip Ella Juico at ni Ilagan City, Isabela Mayor Eve-lyn C. Diaz ang Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) para sa hosting ng dalawang event kahapon sa Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum sa Shakey’s Malate.
“This is the first time we’re holding the SEA Youth Athletics here and bringing it to Ilagan, Isabela is part of our mission of bringing the sport to the province,” wika ni Juico na nagsabi ring ang Isabela ang pinagmulan ng mga national athletes tulad nina Lerma Bulauitan-Gabito. “At the same time, it’s a chance for us to see and experience top notch competitions.”
“This is a big challenge for all of us in the province of Ilagan, Isabela, but we’re confident of meeting the people’s expectations. We’re now in the process of completing all the necessary requirements needed to host the meet,” sabi naman ni Mayor Diaz.
Dumalo rin sa session na handog ng San Miguel Corp., Accel, Shakey’s at Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. sina PATAFA vice-president Atty. Nicanor Sering at secretary-general Reynato Unso at iba pa.