Palaro track, swimming events start

LEGAZPI CITY—The first national sportsfest in Albay lifted its curtains here Sunday with some 8,000 public elementary and high school athletes from 18 regions joining the opening  ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa.

Competition in most events opens Monday with seven golds to be disputed in the centerpiece track and field at Bicol University Albay Tourism and Sports Complex  (BUATSC).

Terence Romeo, the fiery guard of Gilas Pilipinas and GlobalPort, provided glitter to the simple opening rites.

Romeo, whose grandmother hails from the host province, did the torch run and assisted a differently-abled athlete to light the urn.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda encouraged the athletes to compete as hard as they can be not only in the playing field but also off it.

“These are not simple games. These are the games of our lives. In the midst of the playing venue we compete with others, strive to run faster, soar higher and dominate with strength—but it truth, we are actually competing against ourselves,” he said.

Some 40,000 visitors are here for the weeklong competitions to be held in 27 other playing venues around Albay.

But the nerve center will be at BUATSC which will also host swimming.

Track and field starts with finals in secondary girls’ 3,000-meter run, secondary boys’ and girls’ javelin throw, elementary girls’ and boys’ shot put and elementary and secondary boys’ long jump.

Swimming will start Tuesday at a newly-built pool, which took days to clear up.

A total of  88 gold medals are at stake in track and field and 60 in swimming.

Ball games will also start today with preliminary matches in basketball, softball, baseball, tennis and football.

National Capital Region is expected to display its might in the medal-rich events. It has won the overall title in the past 11 editions of the meet.