17th CRAM opens in Tandag City
By Venus L. Garcia
TANDAG CITY, Feb. 23 (PIA) – A total of 5,695
delegates composed of 1,743 elementary athletes, 2,163 secondary athletes, 801
coaches, and 988 delegations officials from the 12 participating divisions all
over Caraga Region attended in the Opening Ceremonies of the 17th Caraga
Regional Athletic Meet (CRAM) held at the Surigao del Sur (SDS) Provincial
Sports Center, this city.
This year’s CRAM, hosted by Department of
Education (DepEd) - SDS division and SDS provincial government, is focused on
the theme, “Sports: The Road to Peace and Progress.”
The honorable provincial governor of SDS, Johnny
Pimentel welcomed the delegates and guests, and conveyed his felicitations to
the officers and employees of the Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga for
their collective efforts.
“This momentous event is a welcome development
and a reality of a long cherished dream of every Surigaonon to watch different
sports spectacle that will inspire and encourage our youth to indulge in sports
activities instead in vices,” Pimentel remarked.
He also linked his message to the CRAM theme by
expressing that “holding such significant athletic activities is very
appropriate and timely considering that SDS is presently at the right trail of
its relentless pursuit in achieving optimum economic development.”
Succeeding the entrance of colors were the
hoisting of the 2014 CRAM banner by 1st district representative Philip Pichay,
assisted by Tandag City mayor Roxanne Pimente; hoisting of the host, co-host
and division banners; and simultaneous hoisting of the delegation banners done
by delegation heads and officials.
Meanwhile, the symbolic entrance of friendship
torch and lighting of the urn was executed by Joseph Evans Casio, point guard
of team Alaska Aces, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Caraga education regional director Atty. Alberto
Escobarte marked the declaration and formal opening of CRAM 2014.
Highlighted as well were the playground
demonstrations and the grand fireworks display.
Gov. Pimentel further said, “We are deeply
honored and proud for this opportunity to show our proverbial hospitality to
the delegates and visitors. I am optimistic that through this athletic meet,
our youth will increase their interest in sports as our province continues to
pave its way to greater athletic developments.” (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Tandag mom bares importance of sports in
community
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
TANDAG CITY, Feb. 23 (PIA) – As the 17th Caraga
Regional Athletic Meet is officially opened on Sunday at the Provincial Sports
Center here, Mayor Roxanne Pimentel bared the importance of sports in the
community.
“I am very honored to welcome you all in this
momentous event. Today and in the following five days of this year’s 17th
Athletic Meet, we will witness the quality athletic performances of the
delegates from the different municipalities, cities, provinces in the region,”
expressed Pimentel.
Pimentel also bared that sports events have
important role in honing not only the physical but also the mental and
emotional aspect of the youths.
The lady mayor further said that playing sports
enables one to create friendships he or she otherwise might not have formed.
Thus, sports bring youths together from different schools, backgrounds, and
communities. Many times, the friendships they create on the field remain intact
even when they are not playing sports.
“To all the delegates of this year’s
competition, sports is the road to peace and progress. Compete fairly and give
the best of what you can. I encourage you to establish friendship while you
compete with your opponents. Be professional in all you do,” stressed Pimentel.
This is the second historical year for Surigao
del Sur to host after its first on 1997. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
PRC chair keynotes CRAM 2014
By Venus L. Garcia
TANDAG CITY, Feb. 23 (PIA) – Philippine Red
Cross (PRC) chair Richard “Dick” Gordon was the keynote speaker during the
opening of the 17th Caraga Regional Athletic Meet (CRAM) held at the Surigao
del Sur Provincial Sports Center today in this city.
He spoke before the athletes, coaches and
everyone present during the event in the light of this year’s theme, “Sports:
The Road to Peace and Progress.”
Gordon also encouraged athletes to be consistent
in the commitment to win. “You must always do the best you can and be the best
among the rest. Do not take sports for granted and do it heartily,” he said.
“One would miss a hundred shots when he/she
never attempts to shoot. In same way, you can only define yourself if you do
your part and know your role in a team. If you know you did your best, then you
are a winner in that sense,” imparted Gordon.
He also emphasized the rule of competing in a
game – plan, prepare, practice. “Learn to predict the course of the game, plan
and prepare how to attack,” he added.
Pointing out further, “If you are an athlete you
must have that self-determination, drive, and do something to achieve your
aspirations with dignity. Act like a competitive leader, compete in a game with
passion,” bared Gordon.
He advised the athletes to be a competent
competitor. “Competition is not only in the fields and tracks but consider its
presence in everyday life. Play and hurdle fairly so you become a person of
character, Gordon remarked. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
DepEd ASec Ruiz urges athletes to practice
sportsmanship, teamwork
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
TANDAG CITY, Feb. 23 (PIA) – During the opening
ceremonies of this year’s 17th Caraga Regional Athletic Meet held at the
Provincial Sports Center here, Department of Education (DepEd) Assistant
Secretary Armando Ruiz urged the athletes to practice sportsmanship, teamwork,
and other good values in every sport they are in.
“We should inculcate into the minds and hearts
of our athletes the spirit of sportsmanship, teamwork, honesty, patience and
other good values. Let’s support them in any way we can,” stressed Ruiz.
Ruiz added that through sports, the economy will
grow and there is progress and peace. “We must develop the youths to become
more responsible and do fair play in the sports they are in,” he added.
Ruiz further expressed his congratulations to
all the athletes who joined this year’s competition, as well as their coaches.
“I believe the athletes are not giving up but
always rising every time they fall,” he remarked.
As this year’s Athletic Meet is anchored on the
theme “Sports: The Road to Peace and Progress, Ruiz encouraged the youths to
express their talents in the different sports, excel and be competitive.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
