LINGAYEN - About 4,500 athletes, coaches and officials are expected to converge today at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center Grandstand here for the opening of the National Private Schools and Athletics Association Games that will be keynoted by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Dr. Gonzalo Duque, president of the Region I and National PRISAA, will give the opening remarks in the kick off rites set at 7 a.m., while Pangasinan Gov. Victor Agbayani will welcome the athletes, coaches and officials of the national meet dubbed "Friendship and Solidarity Towards National Transformation".

The athletes will see action in 12 sporting events, including athletics, badminton, chess, baseball, basketball, softball, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo and volleyball.

Duque said this is the first time Dagupan City will host the PRISAA Games since it was founded in 1935. The last national PRISAA athletic meet was held in Zamboanga City.

Also welcoming the different PRISAA contingents are Jose Devenecia Jr., speaker of the house and 4th District Representative, Lingayen Mayor Ernesto Castañeda, Mayor Simplicio Rosario of Binmaley, San Carlos Mayor Julian Resuello, Mayor Amadeo Perez of Urdaneta, Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza and Mayor Benjamin Lim of Dagupan.

Representatives Arthur Celeste of the 1st District, Amado Espino of the 2nd District, Generoso Tulagan of the 3rd District, Mark Cojuangco of the 5th District, and Conrado Estrella of the 6th District, and Department of Health Secretary Francsico Duque will also give their welcome addresses.

Region I standout Romy De Guzman, men's athletics gold medalist in the 2005 National PRISAA Games, will lead the oath of sportsmanship, while PRISAA national executive director Robert Calo will conduct the pledge of technical officials.

The PRISAA national officers, regional presidents and heads of delegations will hoist the national and regional PRISAA flags, while the Region I athletes will do the lighting of the urn of the event that will be highlighted by performances from the University of Luzon Drum and Bugle Corps and the Lyceum-Northwestern University Symphonic Choir.

PRISAA national chairman Emmanuel Angeles will present the awards of recognition to the outstanding PRISAA athletes to be followed by a mass filed demonstration by the Physical Education Classes of LNU, University of Pangasinan and UL. *CIT

back to top

Nat'l Prisaa Games opens
8 athletics golds at stake on Day One
Two-sport athlete eyes more glory
Western Visayas spikers start bid