It’s all systems go for the 2025 Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games which kicks off Saturday at the Cagayan Sports Complex here.
More than 8,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 17 regions are taking part in the tournament whose mission and vision is to sustain the country’s inclusive grassroots sports program as a pathway to the Olympics.
The Games features 22 sports namely, archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball (3×3), basketball (5×5), beach volleyball, boxing, chess, dancesport, football, gymnastics, karatedo, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, lawn tennis, indoor volleyball and weightlifting.
“This is the best-ever edition of the National Games, very well-organized,” said PRISAA Board of Trustees chairman, Rev. Fr. Vicente Uy, SVD, during Friday’s press conference at the Cagayan State University Hostel in Tuguegarao City.
Also present were PRISAA National vice chairman Rev. Fr. Jessie Pasquin (Central Mindanao), secretary Fe Rabanal-Medina (Calabarzon) and executive director Elbert Atilano Sr. (Zamboanga Peninsula), Region 2 Executive Director Perfecto Garcia Jr. and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Edward Hayco.
Tuguegarao City has coordinated with all stakeholders to ensure the smooth running of the tournament it is hosting for the first time.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, PSC chairperson Richard Bachmann and Commission on Higher Education chairperson J. Prospero de Vera have been invited as guests of honor during the opening ceremony.
Meanwhile, Cagayan pride Lerma Elmira Bulauitan-Gabito, who saw action in long jump at the 2000 (Sydney) and 2004 (Athens) Summer Olympics, will lead the torch relay. She will be joined by one medalist per region.
Aside from sports, the National Games will hold an oratorical contest, PRISAAYAWAN, vocal solo and duet, and Mutya ng PRISAA. (PNA)
