Regional meet to serve as ‘litmus test’ for Palaro ‘24
CEBU CITY (April 29, 2024) –It’s all systems go for the 2024 Central Visayas Regional Athletics Association (CViRAA) Meet in the city, which formally opens at the South Road Properties (SRP) on Saturday, May 4.
Over 12,000 participants from 20 schools division offices, including athletes, coaches, and officials, are expected to arrive for the weeklong sports event in the city later this week.
Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City Schools Division and Cebu City Government officials assured that everything is ready for the 2024 CViRAA Meet.
In a press conference this morning, they said they consider the coming days as a simulation of the city’s hosting of the upcoming Palarong Pambansa 2024 in July.
“We have been preparing for this for the past few months, with the support of the local government unit of Cebu City,” said Dr. Nimfa Bongo, DepEd Cebu City Schools Division superintendent.
An opening ceremony will be held this Saturday at the Sinulog stage at the SRP. The games will start on May 5 and will conclude on May 9 at the GMall of Cebu.
There are 24 sporting events and four para-games for differently-abled students during the regional meet.
These events are archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball 5×5, basketball 3×3, billiards, boxing, chess, dancesport, football, futsal, gymnastics, pencak silat, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, and wushu.
On the other hand, the para-games are bocce, goal ball, athletics, and swimming.
A total of 1,362 gold medals will be up for grabs.
Live-streaming
DepEd Cebu City Schools Division assistant superintendent Adolf Aguilar said one special feature of the CViRAA 2024 will be the live streaming of all sporting events. This will also be done during the Palarong Pambansa.
Cebu City Councilor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros emphasized that the city’s hosting of the CViRAA and Palarong Pambansa should be a “shared responsibility” for all Cebuanos.
“As what the mayor says, together, let’s make great things happen, starting with CViRAA all the way to Palarong Pambansa 2024,” he added.
For his part, Cebu City Sports Commission chairman John Pages said this year is a historic year for sports in Cebu City.
It has been 10 years since the city hosted the CViRAA and 30 years since it hosted the Palarong Pambansa.
Pages said he and organizers have closely coordinated with different stakeholders, especially the private sector and private universities which partnered with City to provide venues for a few of the sporting events.
“We’re just so excited for what’s to come this week and are looking forward to Palarong Pambansa in a few months’ time,” Pages said.
| PIO / jsb
Cebu City • News & Information 