Cebu Province Eyes Better Finish in CVIRAA 2017

After finishing fourth place overall in last year’s edition, the Cebu province seeks to improve its ranking in the 2017 Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet (CVRAA).

The Cebu province fielded in some 850 delegates to compete in the weeklong tournament, which serves as selection process for the Central Visayas team to the Palarong Pambansa in Antigue this April.

In the last Sunday’s opening ceremony, around 7,800 athletes from the provinces of Bohol, Siquijor and Cebu swarmed the Teodoro Mendiola Sr. Sports Oval in the City of Naga.

Naga City Mayor Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong welcomed the athletes and said that hosting the meet for the second time has brought pride and joy to the city.

“CVIRAA 2017 Balik Naga has given us opportunity to promote not only our sports facilities but also as a sports hub in this part of the region. To be part in all of this is already a significant accomplishment, and with that, it makes us Nagahanons proud,” Chiong said.

With the first district emerging as a sports Mecca outside of Cebu City, first district Congressman Samsam Gullas believed it could host a national event like the Palarong Pambansa in two years’ time.

“The City of Naga already has the best sports facilities, and Minglanilla is renovating theirs. I’m hopeful that we can bring the Palarong Pambansa in our district two years from now,” Gullas said.

According to Department of Education, it is the first time in CVIRAA history that all events are held in the same venue for two consecutive years.

The meet with the theme “Sports: Bridging physical health and dexterity to peace and unity efforts”, is expected to the draw the best athletes from the region as they battle it out for gold and glory in the 26 sporting events.

Among the participating delegations from the provinces included Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor while teams from the cities were Bogo, Danao, Mandaue, Lapulapu, Cebu, Talisay, Carcar, Toledo, Tagbilaran and City of Naga.

A riveting performance of the Naga National High School cheer dance team wowed the crowd during the opening ceremony capped by a firework display. (Chad Cordova Bacolod)

SOURCE: cebu.gov.ph