Salceda challenges Albay delegation to get Palarong Bicol 2014 championship

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 28 (PNA) — “Get the championship!”

This was the challenge hurled by Governor Joey Sarte Salceda to the 723-man Albay delegation to the Palarong Bicol 2014 to be held in Catanduanes on Feb. 2-7.

“I have short goals – to get better every day, to help Albay every day — but my only ultimate goal this February 2-7, 2014 is to win the championship in Palarong Bicol 2014,” Salceda stressed during the send-off ceremonies Tuesday morning at the Provincial Sports Center in Barangay Travesia, Guinobatan, Albay.

He stressed that it is all that matters.

“I dream about it. I dream about it all the time — how it would look, how it would feel. It would be so amazing,” the governor added.

Salceda said the sports team, which he called the 'Albay Vulcans," aims to maintain dominance in Palarong Bicol by bringing back the championships it held in 2011 and 2012.

The governor is expected to join the Vulcans during the opening ceremonies on Feb. 2.

The team, fresh from a 45-day rigorous training at the Provincial Sports Center in Travesia, Guinobatan town, are set to avenge their loss to Camarines Sur for the top honors in last year’s edition of the competitions.

Serious enough, Salceda approved the provincial government’s financial assistance of P1,000 for each athlete and official to boost the province’s campaign in the 17 sports disciplines where Albay has notable entries.

The Vulcans are favored to dominate the athletics and swimming events as well as in basketball and volleyball games in this tough week-long sports event.

Provincial Sports Coordinator Roderick Mendoza is confident Albay’s athletes and officials are well prepared to bring home the championships.

With the full support of the provincial government and the Department of Education Albay Division, Mendoza said, all team members are full of energy.

Dan Morillo, DepEd Albay sports coordinator, said the 723-member Albay delegation is complete and composed of 480 athletes, coaches and sports officials.

Of these participants, 11 athletes are with disabilities who will compete during Phil-Spada Regional Elimination as part of the Palarong Bicol 2014.

Morillo said the Albay sports delegation will compete in 17 events in elementary and secondary.

He said that of the 17 sports event, Albay is strong in athletics, arnis, baseball, volleyball, basketball, boxing, takraw , badminton, chess and lawn tennis where the province was the champion last year.

Albay used to be the leader in these sports for more than 20 years.

Morillo said the delegates underwent a strict screening and rigid training with the full support of the provincial government. (PNA)

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