Abra event just the 1st – Bernos

BANGUED, Abra – Abra Gov. Jocelyn Bernos said yesterday that the ongoing Cordillera Administrative Region Athletics Association (CARAA) sports meet is just the first step to more exciting sporting events – international and local – in the province.

According to Bernos, holding the CARAA in the province is a big boost, particularly to local tourism, and maintained talks are ongoing with the Philippine Sports Commission for succeeding meets.

“We will be ready for bigger events,” said Bernos, who met Sunday with PSC Commissioner Celia Kiram during the opening ceremony of the CARAA meet where more than 5,000 athletes and officials are taking part Feb. 5-9 at the Abra Sports Complex.

PNP Director-General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, as keynote speaker, encouraged the province and the Cordillera youth to focus on sports and to stay away from illegal drugs.

“Kagaya ninyo din ako noon, naglaro din ako sa Palarong Pambansa noon,” said the popular police chief who played shortstop in baseball and was a boxer during his youth in Davao del Sur.

This marked the first time that Abra is hosting the CARAA meet where 22 regular sports disciplines are being played. Aside from Abra, the other provinces in the event are Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Tabuk City and Mountain Province.

The sports are archery, arnis, athletics, basketball, baseball, billiards, boxing, chess, dancesports, football, futsal, gymnastics, lawn tennis, pencak sikat, sepak takraw, wushu softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, wrestling and volleyball.