Lanao del Norte to bid for Palaro

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte — The Palarong Pambansa, a multi-sports competitions for elementary and high school students, could be heading back here next year.

Gov. Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo yesterday said the province will bid for the hosting of the 2007 edition of the annual summer games as part of their sports development program.

"It’s part of our plan, we want the Palarong Pambansa to return to Tubod, Lanao del Norte again," said Dimaporo after the two-day sports summit at the Macapagal Training Center here.

Dimaporo said she and Philippine Sports Commission chair William "Butch" Ramirez will meet with Department of Education Secretary Fe Hidalgo anytime this week to officially submit the province’s hosting bid of the meet which Naga City will stage this May.

If granted, the Mindanao Civic Center in this hilly, coastal town would serve as host of the event for the first time since 2003.

Meanwhile, Dimaporo and husband Rep. Abdullah and the municipal mayors, their sports coordinators, trainers and coaches have signed a covenant not only to develop world-class athletes but also make the province a "Mecca of Sports" in the region.

Aliah Dimaporo, the couple’s daughter who is active in promoting sports for peace projects in the province, is expected to be named chair of the sports council tasked to implement the sports programs in the province.

Dimaporo said they have come up with focus sports where they hope to produce world-class athletes. These are athletics, swimming, shooting, archery, boxing, taekwondo, tennis, football, basketball, badminton, volleyball, badminton, dragon boat and chess.

Ramirez was instrumental in putting up the blueprint of the program through the support of Dr. Raul Alcantara (sports medicine, nutrition and rehabilitation), Josephine Reyes (Talent Identification), Cayetano Gonzales (sports management, administration and values), Marilou Cantancio (women in sports) and summit facilitator Aliah Dimaporo (the province’s programs).