PSC, Cebu City formalize PNG hosting

To formalize Cebu City’s hosting of Philippine National Games (PNG) 2018, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña signed a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Sports Commission represented by its commissioner in-charge Ramon S. Fernandez yesterday.

The PNG, which is scheduled from May 19 to 25, was earlier set on Dec. 10 to 16, 2017. It is a national multi-sporting competition for athletes 16 years old and above.

In a press conference last Friday, PSC Commissioner Fernandez revealed that one of the reasons PNG was moved to this summer was the concern over billeting areas to house the athletes, since the usual quarters are classrooms. He also added that big sports events like this should be held during summer as some of the athletes are students.

Fernandez also emphasized that it is mandatory for national teams to compete in PNG to pick the best athletes to comprise new line-up for national teams.

“We envision this to become tryouts for the national team” said Fernandez.

Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) athletes are permitted to skip they are initially scheduled to compete in an international competition.

On the other hand, Cebu City Sports Commission head Edward Hayco, who also attended, said that the commission has held several meetings with the school board and eight local governments to smooth out preparations for this year’s national games, especially as regards facilities.

Fernandez also supported this note, saying that everything is in place except for the opening ceremony that still needs its budget to be approved next week.

There are about 9,000 athletes set to join PNG’s 21 events, 19 of which will be hosted in Cebu while the other two, gymnastics and rugby football, will take place in Manila.

Cebu City last hosted Philippine National Games last December 1997.