Region 6 athletes all fire-up for 2015 Palaro

ILOILO CITY, April 22 — Western Visayas athletes culled from the primary and secondary schools across the region are entering the final phase of their training this week and will depart for Tagum City in Davao del Norte three days before hostilities begin on May 3 for the annual 2015 Palarong Pambansa.

Department of Education(DepEd) Acting Region 6 director Gemma Ledesma said 481 student-athletes would compete in 32 events, and many of them were expected to make the cut and advance into the finals and fight for the coveted gold as well.

The Palarong Pambansa involves 36 demonstration sports, and 38 special games for special children, or the differently-abled.

Ledesma said 188 pupils from the elementary grades and 229 high schoolers would be off and running on May 3-9 who vie for honors along with over 9,000 athletes coming from all over the country.

The old rivalry between powerhouse National Capital Region (NCR) and Region 6 is anticipated to be rekindled, although a neck and neck battle for supremacy may also involve Region 4, Region 7, and Region 11.

This year's theme is "Breaking Borders, Building Peace". (PNA)

RMA/AJP/ELT/VLO