REINFORCED by athletes from the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi), the Cebu City Niños are aiming to defend its 19-year reign in the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) meet in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental next week.
Cesafi schools spearheaded by the powerhouse University of Cebu (UC) will be pitting athletes for the Niños’ in their bid in this annual multi-sporting meet. Winners here form the core goup that will represent Central Visayas in the Palarong Pambansa to be held also in Dumaguete.
Cebu City Sports Coordinator Zenaida Gocotano said more than 400 athletes of Cebu City are already practicing in Dumaguete. They arrived last Thursday and will begin their campaign on Monday.
“We are confident at the same time determined and working hard to retain the title,” said Gocotano. “We are very happy for team Cebu City that Cesafi schools like UC and other members will participate in this competition. It will surely give the Niños a good chance.”
The Niños will be facing athletes from the host Dumaguete, Cebu Province and Mandaue City.
Cebu City Niños accumulated a total of 836.17 points to extend its reign to 19 years last year. Cebu Province finished second with 507.75 while Mandaue had 321.5 points.
The Cebu City Niños are billeted at the Valencia National High School, 10 kilometers away from Dumaguete City. Despite the distance, Gocotano said that the athletes are relaxed and comfortable at their area and buses are deployed for the athletes who will be competing at the Lamberto Macias Cultural and Sports Complex.
According to Gocotano, 178 athletes will be competing in the elementary division and more than 200 in the secondary division. ” We will be banking on our strong teams in the ball games like basketball and volleyball as well as our track and field athletes.”/CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL