Apayao Gov. Elias Bulut Jr. formally opened hostilities in the 2024 edition of the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) Monday afternoon, showcasing the province’ rich cultural tradition while issuing a dare to all five provinces and two cities.
Bulut said they are optimistic of unseating Baguio City in the over-all standings.
Since hosting the annual regional meet for the first time in 2013, the province also saw its meteoric rise in the over-all standings, and has already claimed its back-to-back second place in the over-all team standings since 2019.
“I cannot help but recall our past CARAA endeavors, where Apayao’s rising fortunes in the rankings have become a topic of friendly banter among the Governors, and DepEd officials. Apayao’s upward trajectory every time we host this regional sporting event, from third place in 2013 to second in 2019, has fueled optimism that this year, we might just clinch the coveted first place, finally outpacing our friendly rivals from Baguio City,” Bulut said.
More than 6,000 athletes, coaches, trainers, and chaperon converge in the different municipalities of Apayao for the weeklong contest with the winners advancing to the Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City next month.
“To the athletes, I challenge you to not only excel in your respective fields but also to build lasting connections and friendships throughout this undertaking. May your performances inspire us all and showcase the true spirit of sportsmanship and fair play,” Bulut told athletes.
As action gets going today, April 16, organizers and management of the CARAA assured parents of all athletes’ health and safety as games will be suspended during the hottest time of the day.
“We brought the athletes here healthy; we will make sure that we bring them back home to their families safe and healthy, ” said Dr. Estella Carino, regional director of the Department of Education (DepEd)-CAR announced during the solidarity meeting on Monday attended by event officials.
The solidarity meeting was conducted to level off policies and guidelines including announcements on the cleanliness and safety of everybody.
Carino added they are giving event officials the power to decide on the suspension of schedules if the need arises to prevent putting at risk the athletes from elementary to senior high school.
CARAA is a grassroots sports program of DepEd with participants from students from the elementary to high schools, aside from Apayao and Baguio, namely Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Tabuk City.
Bulut in an earlier interview said they have to make urgent decisions if games need to be suspended and moved to late afternoon.
“We cannot risk the safety of our children, ” Bulut added.
Bulut assured that all playing venues, indoors or outdoors have been prepared and lighted to allow games to pursue even until the evening.
The governor added they have also assigned medical teams and ambulances in all playing venues in case of the need for medical attention to any person and for immediate transport to a medical facility if required. Roderick Osis
