CHED Games back after six-year lull

MANILA, Philippines - Following an absence of six years, the CHED (Commission on Higher Education) National Games will be back in the limelight when more than 6,000 collegiate athletes from all over the country compete in 18 sports disciplines on Feb. 22 to 28 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

It will be the biggest gathering of young, promising athletes since this year’s CHED Games wil have under its umbrella the PRISAA (Private Schools Athletic Association), SCUAA (State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association) and LCUAA (Local Colleges and Universities Athletic Association).

Emmanuel Angeles, chairman of CHED, announced the staging of the Games, which last took place in Bacolod City in 2004, during a press conference at the Philippine Sports Commission main building. He was joined by Atty. Gonzalo Duque, PRISAA chairman, and Dr. Lauro Tacbas, SCUAA president.

Chairman Harry Angping of the PSC has thrown his full support to the holding of the Games with the use of the different facilities inside the sports complex. The delegates will be billeted in different colleges and universities in Manila but will have to pay for their own transportation, meals and allowances.

“This is the beginning of an integrated sports program for the tertiary level. And we hope that the best talents in this year’s Games will land in the national team if they are not yet in the pool,” said Angeles.