All systems go for WVPRISAA meet

By Leny G. Gabo

University of San Agustin ( USA ) will host the Western Visayas Private Schools Athletic Association (WVPRISAA) regional meet slated on February 3-5, 2005 .

Various teams from six provinces of Western Visayas will compete for the sports and cultural events. The sports events include men and women's athletics, badminton, chess, lawn tennis, table tennis, Taekwondo , volleyball and swimming. Meanwhile, the cultural events include: dance competition (Latin, standard, folk and interpretative), vocal solo (classical and pop), vocal duet (pop), oration (English and Filipino), declamation (English and Filipino) and extemporaneous speech (English and Filipino).

According to Engr . Walden Rio, WVPRISAA President, the organization was revived February last year after ten years of hiatus due to some financial constraints.

He said the organization agreed to raise the PRISAA fee from P20-P50 in order to meet the financial needs of the organization since they are not relying on the government's subsidy.

Meanwhile, the organization has provided trainings and seminars for officials and coaches of the athletic events. Rio said that it is one way to ensure the efficiency of those officiating and coaching the events.

Of the total 11 events, however, boxing is not included. Rio explained that boxing is not included because football is the favorite sport of Iloilo .

The events for the WVRPRISAA meet would be held on the following venues: John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (JBLCF), Iloilo Doctor's College (IDC), Central Philippine University (CPU) and University of San Agustin . The rest of events would be held at the Iloilo Sports Complex.   

Rio said, this year 35 private schools in the region, with approximately 95,000 athletes, will join the sports competition.