6,000 athletes vie in Region 1 athletic meet

SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan – Some 6,000 athletes from 14 school divisions are competing in the 2016 Region I Athletic Association (R1AA), the biggest sporting event in the region, firing off today here.

Division Superintendent (OIC) Dr. Lorna Bugayaong said an athletic parade is scheduled at 2 p.m. prior to the 3 p.m. opening program where City Mayor Julier Resuello is guest of honor and speaker.

Sports to be played in the week-long meet to be hosted by the schools division of San Carlos Feb. 21-26 are archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball. billiards, bocce, boxing, chess, football, futsal, goal ball, gymnastics, lawn tennis, sepak-takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, wrestling and wushu, report from the Philippine Information Agency in Pangasinan said.

Bugayaong said aside from the tournament proper, delegates will be treated to several activities during their stay in Pangasinan.

A party will welcome the division delegates in every billeting school today. The Mayor’s Night will commence tomorrow.

On Feb. 24, a fellowship night will be held at the Don Federico Mandapat Sports Dome. The next day, division representatives will take part in a tree-planting activity.

The meet ends Feb. 26 with the awarding of medals and trophies to the winners.

Anchored on the theme “Celebrating Life and Victory through Sports,” the R1AA will select the the regional finalists who will compete in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa.