No major structural damage noted at CCSC – Ballesteros

With only minor damage noted in the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), the facility has been cleared by an inspection team from the Cebu City Hall to continue hosting sports events including the 5th National Finals of the Milo Little Olympics set later this month.

CCSC manager Ricky Ballesteros informed Cebu Daily News yesterday that a team from the city engineering office has inspected the 19-year-old facility and its inclusive offices and found out that the edifice suffered only minor damage in light of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that rocked the Visayas and toppled heritage churches, buildings and bridges in Cebu and Bohol. The temblor also killed close to 200 people.

“Gi-check na ganiha (Wednesday) sa taga city engineering nya okay ra man. Naa lang mga suga nga nahagbong from the tower lights and tension cables nga naputol,” said Ballesteros, who is also the chief organizer of the 5th Milo Little Olympics National Finals on Oct. 25-27.

“Naa pud mga minor damage sa wall finishings nga natangtang pero walay structural damage,” added Ballesteros.

Around 6,000 spectators are expected to witness the opening program of the Milo meet where a lot of entertainment numbers are being prepared for the 1,600 athletes coming from the National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The opening program is also expected to be attended by the heads of Philippine sports including DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richie Garcia and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) head Peping Cojuangco.

The program will start with a parade of athletes followed by the doxology to be rendered by Cebu Youth Music Festival grand prize winner Danielle Mae Ozaraga then the singing of the national anthem by the University of Cebu Chorus. Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will then welcome the participants.

Ozaraga will also perform the Olympic song Power of Dream later in the program.

Cebu’s top netter Jana Pages will lead the Oath of Sportsmanship while PESS Supervisor for Region 7, Dr. Vivian Giñete, will read the Oath of Officiating Officials.

The Lighting of the Urn of Peace and Unity on the other hand, will be done by former members of the national football team, Cebu’s oldest football player and the team captain of the Visayas elementary division. The group includes Glen Ramos, Mario Ceniza, Alex Ballesteros, Mario Ugarte and Visayas elementary team captain Antonio Alforque Jr. of Don Bosco Technological Center (DBTC).

Nestle-Philippines president and CEO John Miller will open the games followed by the presentation of the “Milo Going 50, Golden Years of Philippine Sports, The Musical” and the grand fireworks display and pyromusical.