Ormoc, Leyte, and Tacloban delegations garnered with most medals
TACLOBAN CITY- This year’s Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) Meet ended on Friday (April 29), participated by over 5,000 young athletes from the region’s 13 school divisions competing for medals and glory.
This year’s edition, a first after two years in hiatus due to the pandemic coronavirus disease (COVID-19), was co-hosted by the Tacloban and Leyte school divisions, respectively.
The delegation from Ormoc City, composed of 519 student-athletes, was declared the overall champions with 178 golds, 104 silvers, and 104 bronzes, or a total medal haul of 352.
It’s the third time that Ormoc held the top spot of EVRAA, whose gold medalists will be sent to this year’s Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City to be staged on July 29 to August 5.
Mayo Lucy Torres Gomez expressed her happiness with the performances of the young athletes.
“I am very proud of all our athletes. I honor their grit, the sacrifice, and all the hard work they have put in. We are 3-peat champions, a feat I honor and cherish. I thank my predecessor, former Mayor Richard Gomez for planting the seeds of pursuing excellence not just in sports but in all other endeavors one chooses to take on,” she said in a statement.
It was learned that the city government will be offering cash incentives: P5,000 for gold; P3,000 for silver; and P1,000 for bronze.
The city will serve as host in next year’s EVRAA Meet edition.
The Leyte delegation, which has 480 student-athletes, meantime, landed as the second-best with a 50-74-55 gold, silver, and bronze tally or 179 in total.
Meantime, the Tacloban city delegation was declared as third, winning 19 gold, 27 silver, and 46 bronze medals, or a total of 92 medals in all.
For five days, the young athletes, coming from the 13 school divisions of the region, competed in 23 sports disciplines, with many held indoors and early morning and late in the afternoon to avoid the searing heat.
Evelyn Fetalvero, the regional DepEd director, declared the regional sporting event, as a ‘smashing success.’
“Overall, the conduct of the 2023 EVRA Meet was successful. The local government units and our key officials provided an enormous amount of support both moral and financial which made the event a smashing success,” she said.
“Let us remember that athletics are not just about physical strength or agility, but about building character, fostering teamwork, and inspiring us to be our best selves,” Fetalvero added.
Ronelo Firmo, the DepEd assistant regional director, also extended his gratitude to the coaches and families for helping and supporting the young athletes.
‘This event is not just about the athletes. It is also about the coaches, families, volunteers, and sponsors who have supported our athletes every step of the way. Your unwavering dedication and commitment have been instrumental in making this event a success, and we are grateful for everything you have done,” he said.
JOEY A. GABIETA with TRIXIE ANNE NICOLE CALVO, LNU Student Intern
