Region 7’s top athletes begin showdown in Dumaguete

Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental—a simple opening ceremony ushered the start of the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) meet yesterday at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Complex here.

A total of 6,070 athletes from the Central Visayas region gathered to officially kick off the five-day multi-sporting meet.

The 19-time defending champion Cebu City Niños leads the competition along with hosts Dumaguete, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu Province, among others.

Leading yesterday’s opening was Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria.

“We want to make each and every visiting athlete, coach and official feel very welcome in our humble city and we want them to make this CVIRAA edition a memorable one,” said the mayor in his welcome speech.

Sagarbarria also reminded the athletes to aim for their best in order to form a strong Region VII team come the Palarong Pambansa to be hosted also by Dumaguete next year.

Also present yesterday were other noted politicians such as Negros Oriental governor Ruel Degamo and Lapu-Lapu City mayor Paz Radaza and Department of Education Region VII chief Carmelita Dulangon.

A total of 20 sporting events, excluding the cultural competitions, will be played in various venues here even as the city prepares for the coming of super typhoon Pablo within the week.

The Cebu City Niños are expecting a strong start in the track and field events to be held at the Mariano Perdices Memorial Track Oval within the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Complex.