Host Region 7 launches Prisaa national meet

THE Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) is out to prove that it is neither a weak or a nuisance organization as Region 7 (Central Visayas) is set to host what is seen as the best ever Prisaa National Collegiate Games this year.

The Prisaa National Collegiate Games 2012, which is slated from April 22 to 28 in various playing venues in Cebu City and Cebu Province, was launched yesterday at the President’s Conference Room of the University of San Jose-Recoletos main campus.

Elberto Atillano Sr., Prisaa executive director, defended the private schools organization, saying it is the country’s biggest sports organization.

During the Philippine Commission (PSC) Sports Summit last month in Manila, Monico Puentevella, Philippine Olympic Committee chairman, said the PSC and POC are not supporting the Prisaa because it was a weak organization and was just a nuisance.

Atillano, who was present during yesterday’s launching, said he was very disappointed with the statement and insisted that some of the country’s best athletes also come from the PRISAA.

“We are represented by all 17 regions, which means we are the real national competition,” said Atillano, referring to some national competitions wherein not all regions are represented.

Atillano added that with Cebu as the venue of this year’s national games, not only are all 17 delegations represented, but they are also sending a full lineup.

About 6,000 delegates are expected to grace the one-week collegiate sporting event.

Fr. Vic Uy, Prisaa Region 7 president, said Cebu City, Cebu Province, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 7 and the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 7 are working hand in hand for a successful national Collegiate Games.

Present during yesterday’s launching were Dr. Amelia A. Biglete, CHED-7 director, Laureano Santos, Prisaa secretary general, and other Prisaa regional officers.

Biglete expressed hopes that Region 7 will once again become the overall champion and that it will be able to pull off a successful hosting of the event.

She said CHED is supporting the event because they recognized the need to harness the potential of the youth in sports.

Meanwhile, Bernard Ricablanca, Prisaa National Collegiate Games project director, said they hope to emulate Cebu’s successful 1994 Palarong Pambansa hosting.

For the opening ceremonies, participants will be treated to a festival-type entertainment.

On tap to make a presentation alongside Cebu City’s Sinulog festival are Karansa festival of Danao City, Pitlagong festival of Argao, Bonga festival of Sibonga and the Kabkaban festival of Carcar City.

Prisaa technical consultant Danilo Villadolid said that there are nine DepEd schools prepared for billeting area but they have yet to finalize it with DepEd Cebu City Division Superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud.

Villadolid said that DepEd schools here in Cebu are big and can accommodate two delegations each, which is why they have only tapped nine schools. /correspondent Mars G. Alison and Dale Rosal