PRISAA marks 60th year with National Games

LINGAYEN, Philippines – The Private Schools Athletic Association celebrates its 60th anniversary by holding the 2013 National Collegiate Games on Feb. 10-16 here and in Dagupan City.

“This is going to be the best and the biggest PRISAA competition since its founding in 1953,” said PRISAA national chairman Dr. Emmanuel Angeles. “Athletes from close to 500 universities are vying in the ongoing eliminations.”

Atty. Felipe Gozon, chairman, president and CEO of GMA, the official coveror of the weeklong sportsfest, will be the guest of honor and main speaker during the anniversary program on Feb. 10 at the Sison Auditorium of the Capitol Complex here.

Angeles will present Jubilee Awards to PRISAA members.

The PRISAA was organized on Feb.  17, 1953 through the initiative of then Private Schools director Dr. Manuel Carreon, who encouraged the different private institutions all over the country to join the new group which aimed to promote sports and academic competitions.

The first PRISAA meet was held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on March 8-10, 1953 with athletes from various regions competing in sports event recognized by the Southeast Asian Games and the International Olympic Committee like basketball, cycling, football, gymnastics, swimming, chess, lawn tennis, table tennis, volleyball and track and field.

Since 1956, the PRISAA board decided to hold the games in different cities and provinces. The meet served as an inspiration to students, faculty members and the public and helped produce outstanding athletes like Josephine dela Vina of Cebu, Mona Sulaiman of Mindanao and Rogelio Onofre of Pangasinan.