GMA to open CHED Palaro

BACOLOD CITY — President Arroyo will be the guest of honor when the Palarong Pambansa of the Commission on Higher Education at the Panaad Park on Friday at 4 p.m.

Almost 3,000 athletes and coaches from 17 regions will see action in the games which will end on April 28, said Peter Mendoza, secretary-general of the 2004 games.

The games, which focuses on the theme, "Unity through Sports for a Strong Republic, are hosted by the University of St. La Salle.

Seventeen team titles are at stake in the competition which includes 10 sports disciplines.

The events include men and women’s athletics, men and women’s badminton, men’s basketball, men and women’s chess, men’s football, women’s softball, men and women’s swimming, men and women’s taekwondo, men and women’s volleyball and dance sports.

President Arroyo will be introduced by Rep. Monico Puentevella of the lone district of Bacolod City who is the House chairman of the Committee on Youth and Sports.

Cultural groups from Bacolod City and La Carlota City and the St. La Salle Pep Squad will provide the opening-program entertainment bonanza.