Eighteen young and talented city athletes will compete in this year’s edition Palarong Pambansa which will be held in Tarlac City, Tarlac from April 11-17, 2010.
The athletes will be leaving today for their final preparation in Tarlac City National High School, according to Dr. Oscar C. Tadeo, OIC Asst. City Schools Division Superintendent.
Accompanying the city athletes is Dr. Arturo Viray, Education Supervisor for MAPEH, and head of the delegation.
Dr. Tadeo said that this is the second time the city will be sending 18 athletes in this annual sporting event, the first being just last year.
“Alaminos Team might be lean but it is a mean team and its members are determined to surpass the city’s medal haul last year.” he stressed.
Albert Jay T. Callejo bagged home the lone gold medal for the city in last year’s Palarong Pambasa held in Tacloban City, Leyte.
Callejo, now a freshman student at Telbang National High School, took the gold in high jump-elementary level.
Athletics team, as usual, will form the main bulk of Alaminos Team followed by taekwondo, table tennis,badminton and sepak takraw.
The city division chief said the city’s athletes are very inspired to compete in the national stage because of the tremendous backing of the city government headed by Mayor Hernani A. Braganza and Vice Mayor Teofilo G. Humilde Jr.
In fact, Braganza handed the cash incentives to winning athletes in the recently concluded Ilocos Region Athletic Association Meet (IRAA) during the grand opening of the Gali’La Hundred Island Festival.
Giving cash rewards to the city’s athletes is part of the city government’s comprehensive sports and youth development program which is now on its 5th year of implementation.
The city government likewise continues to provide the athletes better exposures by sending them to highly competitive tournaments and undergo rigid training with the best trainers in the province. They are also given new sets of uniforms and sports equipment every year.
In his message during the said awarding rites, the vibrant chief executive even lauded the full support and assistance thrown by the different schools, their parents and coaches for the city athletes’ in achieving remarkable feat this year.
“Our city government cannot do these alone, we are very grateful other stakeholders are extending their fair share in improving our sports program,” he said.
Braganza likewise congratulated the city’s athletes for giving their best performance in every competition and always making their city proud.
“You are one of the many reasons why I am proud to say I am an Alaminian, he said. Just keep on playing hard, enjoy the game and bring home more medals for your city.”(CIO)
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