GMA opens PRISAA Games today

NAGA CITY, Philippines – President Arroyo formally opens what promises to be the biggest Private Schools Athletic Association National Games today at the University of Nueva Caceres Sports Palace.

“The Games are an important component of President Arroyo’s vision of an integrated sports development program for the country,” said Commission on Higher Education chairman Emmanuel Angeles, one of PRISAA’s founding members.

The week-long event, backed by Smart Co+mmunications, San Miguel Corp. and PSC, was ushered in on a colorful cultural note yesterday with the parade of athletes and officials, highlighted by a presentation of the Bicol Region’s famous festivals, at the city proper by mid-afternoon.

“We share in the vision of Mrs. Arroyo because we believe that the PRISAA Games is a breeding ground for our future national athletes,” said PRISAA chairman Gonzalo Duque.

This year’s PRISAA also marks the return of the games to the UNC campus, which last hosted the annual event four decades ago.

Capping the afternoon was the “launching” of the Games at Plaza Quezon with sportsman-businessman Manny V. Pangilinan, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president and Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines chairman, as the guest of honor.

PSC chairman Harry Angping said the PRISAA Games “is a main source of talent identification and recruitment for our national pool of athletes.”

With the exception of boxing, which is making its debut as a demonstration sport Monday night, hostilities go full blast tomorrow, featuring the centerpiece events of athletics and swimming at the Metro Naga Sports Complex.

Also getting under way are the competitions in badminton, baseball, basketball, chess, dancesport, football, sepak takraw, softball, table tennis, taekwondo, lawn tennis, and volleyball.

Karatedo begins on April 23 while the coronation of the Mutya ng PRISAA and vocal singing contest are set on April 24.