Pangasinan athletes doing their best to train and get fit for the competitions (PIO photo for PDN)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Some 6,000 athletes, coaches and technical officials from 13 delegations in Region I will flock here from February 24 to 29 for the Ilocos Region Athletic Association (IRAA) meet to be held at the Don Narciso Ramos Sports Civic Complex (NRSCC) in Lingayen.

Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. will lead the opening ceremony that will welcome the school delegations from La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan I and III and the cities of Vigan, Candon, Laoag, San Fernando, Dagupan, Urdaneta, San Carlos and Alaminos.

Modesta Operana and Leo Urmaza, province’s sports coordinators, said the provincial government is closely with Pangasinan School Division I, host of this year’s IRAA meet, to ensure the success of the meet.

“This will also serve as a “dry-run” in preparation for the Palarong Pambansa, the country’s biggest sports event, to be hosted by the province in April next year,” Urmaza said.

It was more than a decade ago when Pangasinan hosted the Palarong Pambansa dubbed as Palaro by the Gulf ’95.

On the other hand, Pangasinan Division Education Supervisor Dr. Alfredo Z. Nipal revealed that at least 2,500 Pangasinan athletes both from elementary and secondary level who are set to see action in the 17 sports events during the six-day IRAA meet.

These events include the boxing, basketball, badminton, softball, football, baseball, volleyball, gymnastics, athletics, chess, lawn tennis, archery, arnis, sipa/sepak takraw and swimming.

Dr. Alma Ruby C. Torio, Division Schools Superintendent II, said theme of this year’s IRAA Meet is: “Sports: Catalysts for Golden Values and Springboard for Peace, Unity, Economic Growth and Development in the Global Community”.

She said the theme underscores the provincial government’s battle cry for progress through youth development.

This event, she stressed, highlights the positive aspects of competitions of good citizens as well – adjusted and productive members of society. (PNA)