The State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association meet will proceed as scheduled on January 25-28 in Mati City with an estimated 1,000 athletes participating.
The athletic meet, the first for this region, will draw participants from six state colleges and universities in 18 events.
Jose Alther Rivera, sports director of the University of Southeastern Philippines, said that aside from USEP, other participating state-run institutions are the Davao Oriental State College of Technology, the Compostela State College, University of the Philippines (in Mindanao), the Davao del Norte State College and the Southern Philippines Agribusiness College.
Rivera said the regional athletic meet became a reality with the persistent pushing of Dr. Jonathan Bayogan, president of the Tagum-based DNSC.
As the school with the most campuses, USEP will field two teams, Team A and B comprising of a total 300 athletes, to compete in the events.
USEP has campuses in Mati City, Mintal, Mabini, Obrero, Tagum and Bislig.
Rivera said the events included, archery, arnis, athletics, ball games, sepak takraw, taekwondo, tennis, table games, chess among other games.
He said that considering that the regional meet is being held for the first time, the intention was to promote healthy lifestyle through sports and athletics.
“Of course, it would be a bonus if we can discover talents in the different events,” he said.
The cream of the crop will represent the region in the national SCUAA that is slated in Batangas City.
