TAGUM CITY, Davao Del Norte – Bent on excelling in this year’s staging of the Palarong Pambansa here, athletes from Cordillera have kicked-off their rigorous training since Thursday ahead of the official start of games on May 3.

                Around 579 athletes, coaches, and trainers have started adjusting themselves with the climate here in the Banana Cake capital of the country.

                Another batch of athletes will be coming over on the 28th mostly from private schools in Baguio City and its nearby province of Benguet.

                According to General Athletic Manager Dr. Fernando B. Eleponga, the earlier preparation can be a key to improve or maintain the overall rank of the region this year.

                “We have to consider that we are used to the cold climate of the highlands compared to the hot and warm atmosphere here. The more than two weeks preparation can be enough time for the athletes to acclimatize themselves in their environment as well as to really foster teamwork and camaraderie given that teams are composed of different athletes from the provinces and cities of the region,” Eleponga said.

                “For the first time also, all the delegates from CAR traveled through plane, thus, cutting short the travel time into just hours. At least we were not that exhausted during travel,” he added. 

                Traveling expenses of athletes, coaches, chaperons and working committees were charged from the DepEd Regional Office and Palaro funds including parade uniforms and playing uniforms.

                Allowance amounting to Php 1,500 will also be provided for the toiletries, laundry, and other incidental expenses of the delegates.

                Meanwhile, parade shoes were provided by the University of the Cordilleras in partnership with the Children International- Philippines. The barefoot athletes also received rubber shoes and spike shoes by civic-oriented individuals through mediaman Bong Cayabyab of Baguio City during the in-house training of the athletes at the Mabini Elementary School, Baguio City last April 18-21

                It may be recalled that CAR ranked overall 4th runner-up during last year’s Palaro at Sta. Cruz, Laguna with a medal haul of 24 gold medals, 11 silver, and 12 bronze under the regular games. The region could have landed 3rd if the medals garnered from the demonstration sport Wushu and Wrestling was included.

                Aside from wushu and wrestling, billiard and futsal remain as demonstration sports this year

                Special Games will also be held for differently-abled students in which the region will also be participating in. Last year, 5 gold medals, 2 silver and 2 bronze were garnered by the region’s participants to the special games.

                Topping last year was perennial champion NCR, followed by Region IV-A, Region six, Region seven, and CAR.

                Tagum City plays host to one of the biggest sports events of DepEd this year which expects thousands of athletes from the different regions in the country aiming for a gold medal.

                Although its formal opening will be on May 4, the start of games will be on the May 3. - Georaloy I. Palao-ay