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Bacolod City, Philippines Tuesday, March 13, 2012
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WV athletes threat to
NCR supremacy

MAYOR SAYS AS 2012 WVRAA OPENS
BY NIDA BUENAFE

With world-class athletes continually emerging from Western Visayas, the region has become a threat to the supremacy of the National Capital Region in the Palarong Pambansa, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said in his speech yesterday as the 2012 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet opened at the Panaad Park and Stadium.

Addressing the estimated 20,000 crowd that packed the Stadium to watch the opening of the annual regional meet, Leonardia said Region VI is going to be the most respected contingent in this year’s Palarong Pambansa (in Pangasinan) given the quality of athletes competing in the regional games.

“By tradition and history, Western Visayas has always been a powerhouse…a force to reckon with. The results from this year’s WVRAA here in Negros will be the most anticipated as they know that we will give NCR a big problem in the coming national Palaro,” Leonardia said.

Stressing that it is an honor for Bacolod City to co-host the regional competition along with the provincial government, the Bacolod City mayor lauded Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and the Department of Education officials in the province for bringing the WVRAA back to Negros Occidental.

Among those who attended the opening rites were governors Arthur Defensor of Iloilo, Victor Tanco of Capiz, and Carlito Marquez of Aklan, who led their respective delegation during the parade around the stadium.

Marañon, on his part, reminded all participants in the WVRAA to make discipline their way of life as it is a prerequisite to progress, stressing “it is not in winning but in how you play the game”.

He also invited all the delegates to visit the province premier tourism destination, the Mambukal Resort, assuring all of them a free entrance.

Meanwhile, former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, keynote speaker at the 2012 WVRAA opening ceremony, challenged the athletes to give their best if they want to be the next sports idols of the country in the mold of Manny Pacquiao of boxing, basketball’s James Yap and Chris Tiu, and football’s Chieffy Caligdong.

He said these top athletes achieved their sports success not just through sheer luck, but through long hard work, training, and competitive experience.

Zubiri, who publicly admitted his plans to run in the 2013 senatorial race, said sports play an important role in nation building as it helps develop a strong character among the youth by instilling discipline and love for their bodies and respect for their health, mind and body.

“Most important of all, sports helps unite a country and its people,” Zubiri said.*NAB

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