PRISAA 2009 in Naga City

Wew, few weeks more at the midst of summer heat is PRISAA NATIONAL GAMES 2009!

PRISAA Bicol Region Chapter and the City Government of Naga in cooperation with Smart Communications’ Sports Marketing has joined together to host this year’s biggest and most prestigious collegiate games in the Philippines - the PRISAA National Games 2009 on April 19 - 26, 2009 in Naga City.

Expectedly, 360 prestigious universities and colleges from 17 regions of the country with more than 4,000 athletes, coaches and officials will be participating. Events included in PRISAA Games are as follows: Basketball, Volleyball, Football, Baseball, Softball, Badminton, Sepak Takraw, Tennis, Table Tennis, Chess, Athletics, Taekwondo, Karatedo, Dance Sports , Swimming, Mutya ng PRISAA and Vocal Solo.

Boxing, thru the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) is included as a demo sports and is highlighted by the Host Region to entice the PRISAA National Board for its inclusion as a regular event in the succeeding years.

This year’s PRISAA is expected to be more exciting considering the support of the national government through CHED Secretary Emmanuel Y. Angeles, PRISAA’s revivalist and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to be the Guest of Honor during the Grand Opening Ceremonies in Metro Naga Sports Complex, Naga City on April 20. Manny V. Pangilinan, Chairman of SMART and PLDT is likewise anticipated to honor the Festival Parade and Opening Programs on April 19 in Plaza Quezon, Naga City.

Last March 20, 2009, PRISAA National Officials headed by Chairman Dr. Gonzalo T. Duque, with the officers of PRISAA Region V, CHED ROV and the City Government of Naga convened in Villa Caceres Hotel, Naga City and finalized everything to ensure a successful staging of PRISAA Games 2009. Delegation heads of different Regions has inspected the playing venues and billeting areas. Events that are expected to draw big crowd are:

April 19, 3:00 pm Bicol Festivals Parade & Launchig, Plaza Quezon, Naga City

Guest Speaker: Manny V. Pangilinan, Chairman SMART & PLDT

April 20, 9:00 am GRAND OPENING CEREMONIES

Metro Naga Sports Complex

Guest Speaker: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

5:00 pm Smart’s Boxing Demo Tournament, Plaza Quezon

April 21, 6:00 pm National Dance Sports Competition, UNC Sports Palace

April 23, 6:00 pm Vocal Solo National Competition, USI Auditorium

April 24, 7:00 pm Mutya ng PRISAA, Ateneo Gymnasium

April 25, 4:00 pm Awarding and Closing Ceremonies, Metro Naga Sports Complex

7:00 pm Fellowship Night, USI Social Hal

Smart Communication is the biggest supporter of this year PRISAA National Games parallel to their commitment towards better sports development in the country. Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo and CHED Region V Director Dominador Peralta Jr. also assured their all-out support for a successful PRISAA National Games 2009.

PRISAA Bicol are now on the final stretch of preparation in logistics and hosting as they try to make this year’s PRISAA more inspiring and remarkable.