The 2007 Palarong Panlalawigan opens Sunday at the Panaad Park and Stadium with nine contingents welcoming its 10 th and newest member, the Association of Negros Occidental Private Schools and School Administrators Incorporated.

ANOPSSAI, which has 79-member schools all over the province, is looking forward to a good showing in its maiden appearance in the grassroots-based meet, its president, Exequiel Guanzon said yesterday.

He said some of Western Visayas' medalists in the Palarong Pambansa are in their team, including the gold winners in elementary football from Sta. Rita College in San Carlos .

“We're targeting a top four finish,” he added.

Nine teams will vie for top honors in the elementary division, led by defending champion Area VII or Bacolod City .

Nine squads in the high school category will try to dislodge defending champion Area IV, represented by athletes from Pontevedra, Bago City , La Carlota, Pulupandan, San Enrique and Valladolid .

The 2 p.m. kick off ceremonies on Sunday will be graced by Rolando Brilliantes, director of the physical fitness, wellness and recreation office of the Department of Education.

Lighting the urn is Mary Joy Caporas of Bacolod City National High School , a gold medalist in the 800m event of the 2007 Palaro in Koronadal last April.

The oath of amateurism will be led by Maika De Oro, the Palaro elementary girls' discus throw record holder, while provincial school sports head Felipe Dumancas will spearhead the oath of officiating officials.

Dr. Eva Belicena, the provincial schools superintendent, will declare the Dec. 9-15 games open.

This year's games will mark the first time in the past eight years that the athletics competition will not be held at the Panaad tracks, which is scheduled for repair.

Athletics, which will be held at the University of St. La Salle tracks, and the 16 other events get going on Monday. Also set at USLS are elementary basketball, lawn tennis and volleyball.

Arnis, elementary football, secondary tennis, softball, swimming and taekwondo are set at the Panaad park, while secondary basketball will be held at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center .

West Negros College will host secondary football and chess, while sepak takraw will be played at the Mansilingan Agro-Industrail High School Covered Court .

The other venues are Riverside College of Nursing courts (badminton), Lopue's San Sebastian (elementary table tennis), BCNHS (baseball), Negros Occidental Teachers Federation gym (gymnastics and dancesport).*CPT

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