CORDILLERA delegates are making true to a promise to improve their over-all standings by starting their campaign in the 2017 Palarong Pambansa being held in Antique.
The region scored its first gold in the first day of competition courtesy of Eza Rai Yalong winning in the anyo event in arnis secondary girls at the Binirayan Sports Complex in Antique's capital San Jose Buenavista.
arrying the theme, “2017 Palarong Pambansa: Converges Youth Power, Builds Sustainable Future,” the biggest sports event backed by the Department of Education (DepEd) which culminates on April 29 promises to showcase youth empowerment through athleticism, sportsmanship, discipline, and camaraderie.
Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is once again pinning its hopes in individual games, particularly combatives to carry the region past its 9th place finish last year.
DepEd-CAR sports coordinator Agustin Gumuwang said with the inclusion of wrestling and wushu as a regular sport, Cordillera’s gold medal haul is expected to increase as two time world wushu gold medalist Divine Wally helped athletes during their training prior to the Palarong Pambansa.
Aside from combative sports, archery also promised to deliver the much needed medals to uplift the region in its standing.
“We trained our athletes harder this time and at the same time we joined tournaments outside the region to help improve their skills,” said coach John Hongitan.
A total of 473 athletes comprises this year’s Team Cordillera. Fourteen athletes are from the Province of Abra, 30 from Apayao, 21 from Mt. Province, 20 from Ifugao, 61 from Kalinga and Tabuk City, 81 from Benguet, and 246 from the City of Baguio. (Roderick Osis)