THE track oval of the Cebu City Sports Center is safe and can be used by athletes to train and prepare when action in the 2024 Palarong Pambansa commences on Thursday in Cebu City.
Organizers made this assurance with works still going on to fix the condition of the newly renovated rubberized track oval at the CCSC.
“We can say that this is safe, provided that adjustments and repairs that are needed are done,” said Department of Education assistant secretary Francis Cesar Bringas following Tuesday’s opening ceremonies, with two days to go before competitions start.
Eight of 24 events will commence on Day 1, including track and field, with organizers utilizing 37 venues across the city.
Swimming, the other centerpiece event of the games, will be held at the poolside of the CSSC, while archery is slated at the South Road Properties and arnis is at the Mandaue City Sports Complex.
The focus of repairs are on lanes 1 and 6, which are undergoing a makeover after showing visible signs of damage seen on the turf near the finish line.
CCSC was closed for renovation in May 2023 as repairs are being rushed at the moment.
Outgoing Department of Education secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, who has been replaced by Senator Sonny Angara, prayed for the success of the weeklong meet supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.
“Kasabay ng pagbubukas ng Palarong Pambasa 2024 sa Cebu City ngayong araw ay ang aking dasal at hangarin para sa tagumpay ng ating mga layunin na maisulong ang akma, napapanahon, at dekalidad na edukasyon para sa mga kabataang Pilipino,” said Duterte in her speech.
Opening-day action is also set to take place in badminton, baseball, dancesport, table tennis, sepak takraw, softball, gymnastics and volleyball.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos is expected to grace opening rites late Tuesday. Other VIPs expected to be in attendance are Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, and suspended Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama.
The last time Cebu City hosted the country’s largest sports spectacle was in 1994.
