PRISAA officials visit Zambales Sports Complex

Officials of the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) have recently inspected the Zambales Sports Complex, which will be the main venue of the annual competition featuring athletes from more than 600 colleges and universities nationwide next year.

Zambales was chosen to host the 2017 edition of the PRISAA after the original host, Cagayan province, was devastated by Typhoon Karen last October.

Elbert Atilano, PRISAA national executive director in charge of technical management operation, said on Tuesday that the sports complex has well-maintained facilities.

“The facilities are in good condition, just a little polishing and they are ready for use,” he said after inspecting the Zambales Sports Complex in the capital city of Iba.

“We have a little concern on baseball and the provincial government is addressing it already,” added Atilano, also vice president of the Philippine Weightlifting Association.

The transfer of venue from Cagayan to Zambales was discussed and decided during the PRISAA national board meeting over the weekend.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez was also present during the meeting held at the Angeles University Foundation owned by Dr. Emmanuel Angeles, chairman of PRISAA and former head of the Commission on Higher Education.

Cagayan’s hosting of the 2017 PRISAA was announced after the 2016 edition held in South Cotabato’s Koronadal City, which also hosted the Mindanao leg of the Batang Pinoy.

“We hold PRISAA in various provinces to give them the opportunity to experience hosting a big national competition,” said Atilano, who was instrumental in the inclusion of weightlifting to the PRISAA program this year.

The league has produced many national athletes, including Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz from the Universidad de Zamboanga.

Previous hosts of the PRISAA were Pampanga, Cebu, Davao and Zamboanga. (PNA)CVL/JEAN T. MALANUM/EDS