PSC throws support to PRISAA National Games 2009

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Commission on Higher Education signed on Friday a Memorandum of Agreement with the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) and State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) for the formation of a unified sports development program.

PSC Chairman Harry Angping said the program, which is aimed to assist the PRISAA and the SCUAA in the staging of the annual National Games, is in line with the instruction of President Gloria Arroyo when she appointed him in last month.

“We are here to make a new meaning in sports development by involving both the PRISAA and the SCUAA. This is line with the instruction of President Arroyo,” Angping said during the agreement at the Legend Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant along Roxas Boulevard.

Higher Education Chairman Emmanuel Angeles also said that some 2,000 private school and colleges as well as 111 state colleges and universities throughout the country would be benefited by the partnership.

“Our partnership is really a boost to Philippine sports,” said Angeles, who is also a lifetime chairman of the PRISAA.

Besides Angping and Angeles, the other sports leaders who attended the gathering were PRISAA President Gonzalo Duque, SCUAA chieaf Lauro Tacbas, PSC Commissioners Jose Mundo, Akiko Thom­son and Eric Lorentizo.

Angping said that based on the agreement, the PSC will provide both the PRISAA and SCUAA the needed technical support as well as assistance in the training of the athletes and coaches and provide facilities for the staging of the National Games.

“We have abundance of athletes especially in the countryside, but what is lacking is the monitoring and identification of these talents. That is what we are seeking to achieve in this integrated sports development program,” Angping pointed out.

He also said that the effectivity of the agreement would start with the 2009 PRISAA National meet on April 20 in Naga City.

Angping likewise handed the sum of P1.5 million as the PSC’s assistance to the PRISAA National Games 2009 which will be held on April 19 – 25, 2009 in Naga City.

News taken from the Manila Times, Saturday, March 28, 2009

Naga readies as host of 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 & Opening Program
Plaza Quezon, Naga City
April 20, 9:00 am GRAND OPENING CEREMONIES
Metro Naga Sports Complex
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 Competition, USI Auditorium
April 24, 7:00 pm Mutya ng PRISAA
April 25, 4:00 pm Awarding and Closing Ceremonies
Metro Naga Sports Complex

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.

Dr. Carlo P. Villanueva, PRISAA 2009 President and Edgar C. Balasta, Marketing Director with the rest of the officials of 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.