LINGAYEN–Pangasinan will play host to some 6,000 athletes, coaches and technical officials from 13 delegations in Region I for the 2008 Ilocos Region Athletic Association (IRAA) meet slated Feb. 24 to 29.

To be held at the sprawling Narciso Ramos Sports  and Civic Center (NRSCC) here, the six-day IRAA Meet’s theme is “Sports: Catalysts for Golden Values and Springboard for Peace, Unity, Economic Growth and Development in the Global Community.”

Dr. Alma Ruby C. Torio, Division Schools Superintendent II, said the theme underscores the provincial government’s battle cry for progress through youth development.

The event, she said will highlight the positive aspects of competition among citizens.

Gov. Amado Espino, Jr. will welcome the delegations from La Union Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan I and III and the cities of Vigan, Candon, Laoag, San Fernando, Dagupan, Urdaneta, San Carlos and Alaminos.

Modesto Operaña and Leo Urmaza, the province’s sports coordinators, said the provincial government is closely coordinating with Pangasinan School Division I, host of this year’s IRAA meet, to ensure the success of the event.

Urmaza said the IRAA Meet will serve as a “dry-run” in preparation for the Palarong Pambansa, the country’s biggest sports event, that will be hosted by Pangasinan in April next year.

The Palarong Pambansa, dubbed as Palaro by the Gulf ’95, was first held here more than a decade ago.

Pangasinan Division I Education Supervisor Dr. Alfredo Z. Nipal said at least 2,500   Pangasinan athletes both from elementary and secondary levels are set to see action in 17 sports events.

These events include boxing, basketball, badminton, softball, football, baseball, volleyball, gymnastics, athletics, chess, lawn tennis, table tennis, archery, arnis, sipa/sepak takraw,  and swimming.—LM

 

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