7,000 Athletes Join 2017 CVIRAA Opening in City of Naga

Some 7,000 athletes on Sunday joined the opening ceremony of the 2017 Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (Cviraa) on Sunday at the Teodoro “Doring” Mendiola Sr. Track and Field Oval in City of Naga in southern Cebu.

The 7,000 athletes from 13 different divisions will slug it out in various sporting events.

The spotlight will be on defending champions and heavily-favored Cebu City Niños who will be vying for their gunning 25th straight title in the elementary and secondary sporting event.

But not to be outdone are the formidable divisions of Mandaue City, Cebu Province and Bohol Province.

Bohol Province was the surprised division last year as they finished with 31 gold medals, and finally made it to the overall Top 3 after struggling in the previous editions.

Cebu Province, fourth placer last year, is also a team to watch out for with the emergence of its province-wide grassroots program.

The province sent more participants to around 800 from 600 last year.

Mandaue City, who finished second with 47 gold medals last year, will be back to give the Niños a challenge in various sporting events.

The other participating divisions are Lapu-Lapu City, Talisay City, Danao City, Tagbilaran City, City of Naga, Siquijor, Carcar City, Toledo City and Bogo City.

This early, the Niños was off to a usual hot start as they raked in seven gold medals in the gymnastics event, which kicked off Friday at the Enan Chiong Activity Center (Ecac).

The gymnastics started early as the basketball event will also be held at Ecac, Cebu City sports coordinator Zenaida Gocotano said that they are expecting to haul more gold for this year. (PNA)JBP/EB/MP/SSC