Aklan athletes off to 2011 Western Visayas Palaro

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - The 600-strong Aklanon athletes, delegation officials and coaches left to Iloilo City on Tuesday morning to compete in the region's annual sporting meet for public elementary and secondary schools.

Slated from March 20 to 24, Aklan delegation arrived at Iloilo Central Elementary School to prepare for the competition and to familiarize themselves with the playing venues of the 2011 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet.

The sporting activities are hosted by the Divisions of Iloilo and Iloilo City in collaboration with the local government units of Iloilo and Iloilo City.

As many as 469 athletes from Aklan are all ready to compete in badminton, tennis, arnis, volleyball, athletics, basketball, chess, football, sipa, boxing, softball, swimming, baseball, table tennis and taekwondo. They will be joined by some 130 accredited coaches, trainers, chaperons and school officials.

Most of the events will be held at the refurbished Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz, Magsaysay Village, Iloilo City. Other venues are La Paz Plaza, Central Philippine University grounds, SM City Activity Center, Amigo Terrace Mall, SM City Parking Area, Jaro Plaza Gym, Iloilo National High School Multipurpose Gym, West Visayas State University grounds and Plazuela beside SM City.

Mary Ann Lopez of DepEd Aklan, in a text message, said, "with the moral support and prayers, the Aklan delegation aims to bring home the bacon in this multi-sports event."

Negros delegation was the biggest winner followed by Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, Antique and Guimaras in last year's summer spectacle hosted by the province of Aklan for high school and elementary athletes.

This year's Palaro in Iloilo City fires off on March 20 with more than 3,000 competitors from six provincial delegations joining the parade. The Iloilo Sports Complex will be the venue of the grand opening of 2011 WVRAA Meet.