Envisioned to create a one solid Pangasinan team for the Batang Pinoy Northern Luzon Leg on Oct 10-13, the Provincial Government has set a province-wide elimination games slated on September 1-2 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) here.
Executive Assistant III Modesto Operania said during a special meeting on August 29 that “Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. has instructed the conduct of province-wide eliminations to select the best young athletes in Pangasinan who will represent the province during the Batang Pinoy Northern Luzon Leg.”
As a part of the province’s preparations for the elimination games which will be participated in by some 1,000 expected athletes (15 years and below) and sports officials, Provincial Sports Director Operania has urged the department and office heads present during the meeting to adopt the strategy done by the provincial government during the hosting of Palarong Pambansa last May.
Operania instructed Engineer II Romulo R. Delos Santos and NRSCC In-Charge Myra S. Romero to check the sports facilities and playing venues prior to the holding of the eliminations.
Likewise, he called on the cooperation of Philippine National Police (PNP) – Lingayen as represented by Police Inspector Carlos E. Caoile to assure that peace, order and security of the participants in the playing venues outside NRSCC will be secured all throughout the elimination games.
Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Secretary Verna Nava-Perez who headed Task Force Palaro last May, made a review on the availability of sports equipment that were donated by Department of Education (DepEd) to the province after Palaro 2012’s hosting.
Some 270 technical officials will be housed at the NRSCC in the same quarters where Palarong Pambansa technical officials were billeted last May.
Athletes who will win in various sporting events during the eliminations will undergo a series of trainings to keep them in momentum for Batang Pinoy Northern Luzon Leg.
NRSCC will serve as the main venue of tournaments while other sporting events will be played in some locations in Lingayen.
Local Government Unit (LGU) delegations are expected to send the best athletes in their municipalities and cities who will compete with other athletes in 18 sporting events which will be played in these areas: Arnis (St. Columban’s College); Archery (Capitol Resort Hotel Archery Range); Athletics (NRSCC Oval); Badminton (NRSCC Gym); Boxing (Pangasinan National High School Covered Gym); Chess (Provincial Library); Swimming (NRSCC Pool); Table Tennis (NRSCC Alley Building); Taekwondo (Pangasinan State University (PSU) Convention Hall); Tennis (Philippine National Police – Pangasinan Grounds); Karatedo (Lingayen I Central School Covered Court); Volleyball – Girls (NRSCC; PSU Covered Court); Cycling (Maramba Boulevard); Gymnastics (Dagupan City Astrodome); Basketball – Boys, Girls and 3/3 (NRSCC, PSU Covered Court); Dance Sports (Sison Auditorium); Softball and Baseball (Capitol Beachfront).
Also present during the special meeting set to determine and finalize the billeting quarters, playing venues and other prerequisites for hosting of province-wide eliminations were: General Services Office (GSO) Officer-In-Charge Rolando Diaz; Public Services Officer Romeo Aquino; Special Events Head Marife Acerit; and Provincial Health Office (PHO) Administrative Officer Rommel Cardinoza.
The opening program of the province-wide eliminations will be held at the NRSCC Gym on September 1, 8 AM.
Weigh-ins for taekwondo players will be held on August 31, Friday (8 AM) at the NRSCC lobby. (PIO/ Mark Gerry Naval Oblanca)
