‘Sportsmanship and character building’
By Wenilyn Sabalo & Kaiser Jan Fuentes
with Jose Santino Bunachita
Reprinted from Sun•Star Cebu + PIO Report
CEBU CITY (May 4, 2024, 11:32pm) — The Central Visayas Regional Athletics Association (CViRAA) events are all about “sportsmanship and character building,” Mayor Mike Rama said during the event’s opening ceremony tonight.
A festive welcome greeted some 10,000 student athletes, coaches and officials from all over the region at the Sinulog grand stage at South Road Properties (SRP) today, as the city welcomed the delegations coming from four provinces and 16 cities.
“In sports, we are a family. In sports, we can be united. In sports, we build character. In sports, we will build a nation. That is why we all are here in the spirit of sportsmanship,” Mayor Rama said in his speech.
“It’s not about winning. It’s not about losing. It’s about learning. And it should come from the heart,” he told the student athletes.
Lawyer Revsee A. Escobedo, Department of Education (DepEd) undersecretary for field operations, praise the host city for the warm welcome and hospitality.
“May the incoming games bring joy to the sporting community and the people (here). It is important that we take pride in the majestic beauty and unparalleled charm of Cebu City,” he said.
“The CVIRAA is not just about developing athletic talent. It is also a platform for instilling discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship in our youth,” he added.
‘Call me!”
Rama also assured delegates that the city is prepared to address concerns that may arise during the entire duration of the CViRAA events from May 4 to 9.
“I went to your billeting schools and I assure you, please get my telephone numbers…and during emergency give me a call,” he addressed CViRAA delegates.
The mayor then shared his 11-digit personal number, before humorously cautioning the delegates to contact him for emergencies and “not for money.”
In sports, we are a family. In sports, we can be united. In sports, we build character. In sports, we will build a nation. That is why we all are here in the spirit of sportsmanship. It’s not about winning. It’s not about losing. It’s about learning. And it should come from the heart.
Mayor Mike Rama to 2024 CViRAA delegates
Rama also promoted Sinulog in front of all the delegates, who were then treated to various presentations, including the Sinulog Festival presentation by the 2024 winner of the Sinulog-based category grand champion Banawan Cultural Group of Guadalupe, this city.
Cebu City • News & Information, the Facebook page of the Cebu City Public Information Office, live-streamed the opening ceremony.
The parade of athletes was scheduled at 5 p.m. followed by the actual opening ceremonies at 6 p.m.
The CViRAA officials earlier tallied around 5,136 athletes, 1,042 coaches, 167 chaperones, 359 officials and 2,129 working committee members for this year’s CViRAA.
Cebu City Sports Commission Chairman John Z. Pages bared they rescheduled all late afternoon games on the opening day to ensure that all participants could attend the opening ceremony at the SRP.
Previously, it was announced that some athletes competing in gymnastics and athletics would not be present during the opening ceremony due to overlapping schedules with some of the planned games.
Pages said they started as early as 5:30 a.m. and managed to conduct competitions for five sports, including, including athletics, gymnastics, baseball, softball, and bocce events for the para-games.
Governors, mayors, and schools division superintendents from the region also attended the ceremony.
The divisions participating are Carcar City, Bogo City, Cebu Province, Danao City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Naga City, Talisay City, Toledo City, Bohol Province, Tagbilaran City, Siquijor Province, Bais City, Bayawan City, Canlaon City, Dumaguete City, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental Province, Tanjay City, and host Cebu City.
A grand fireworks display capped the opening ceremony.
| Sun•Star Cebu / WBS / KJF with PIO / JSB
Cebu City • News & Information 