LUNA, Papaya– This year’s host province of Apayao was the biggest winner in the recently concluded Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) meet here finishing a strong second behind perennial champion, Baguio City.
Apayao jumped from its fifth place finish last year in the regional sports meet held in Abra.
The Apayao Eagles took a total of 69 gold medals, 75 silver and 79 bronze to be officially declared as the first runner up of the CARAA meet 2019 during the closing ceremonies last March 3.
“Preparedness and cooperation was the key,” Apayao Governor Elias Bulut Jr. said as he described what they did to achieve the second place finish.
Bulut said that that they proved that the early preparation of the athletes, coaches and trainers and the rest of the provincial delegates played a big factor in achieving a better finish this year compared to the previous years.
Since given the go signal last year to again host CARAA, the provincial government and the different stakeholders worked hard to improve their sports facilities and other infrastructures to be able to have a better hosting of the regional meet.
The rubberized athletic track at the Apayao Sports and Eco-Tourism Center in Payanan, Luna which was the major playing venue, was among the biggest improvement together with the other playing venues in the different towns of lower Apayao.
More than P70 million was allotted for the improvement of the sports complex which was first used in 2013 during the province’s first hosting of CARAA.
Aside from the preparation of the playing venues, the different municipalities also poured in improvements to the different eco-tourism sites in their respective towns which were also showcased during the week-long regional competitions.
The governor also stressed that the cooperation and unity among the Iapayaos, from the provincial and municipal officials, the provincial line agency heads and representatives, the private and religious sector and the community, was also key in achieving a successful hosting of the CARAA and the improved finish of the province.
He noted that the hosting was a collaborative effort between and among the different stakeholders in the province which has been a good practice in making sure that events and activities are successful.
Meanwhile, Baguio City took home 202 gold medals, 111 silvers and 79 bronzes. Although 20 gold medals short of its haul last year, it managed to retain the crown.
Abra Stallions also improved to third place after a fourth place finish last year with its 40-47-87 medal harvest. The Benguet Stingers, the perennial second placer of the CARAA slid down to fourth place with 36 golds, 67 silvers, and 82 bronzes.
The Ifugao Builders also dropped to fifth place with 27-47-72 even as the Mountain Province Brave Highlanders improved to sixth place after snatching 16-25-45 while newcomer Tabuk City Brewers has 11-27-35 even as Kalinga Bulls managed to earn 6-6-19 for eighth place finish.
In the special games, Benguet came up with 14 gold medals, 19 silvers and 13 bronzes to top the competition while Tabuk City finished second with its 13-8-7 haul. Baguio City came in third with 12-9-13 and Mtn. Province finished fourth with a 1-4-3 medal tally.** JDP/RMC- PIA CAR
