LARO NG LAHI. Executive Assistant Agustin Calya-en, Aguinaldo (Ifugao) Mayor Gaspar Chilagan Jr. and Ifugao Governor Jerry Dalipog receives some of the sports equipment from Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo, Commissioner Edward Hayco and Deputy Executive Director Anna Christine Abellana after the signing of a memorandum of agreement at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Friday (May 12, 2023). The MOA is for Ifugao province’s hosting of the Laro ng Lahi from May 26 to 28 in Lagawe town. (Photo courtesy of PSC)
MANILA – The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the provincial government of Ifugao signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Friday for the staging of the "Laro ng Lahi" from May 26 to 28 in the town of Lagawe.
Present during the signing ceremony held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila were PSC Women in Sports (WIS) program oversight Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo and Commissioner Edward Hayco, and Ifugao Governor Jerry Dalipog.
“After a series of coordination meetings in the province, we are happy that our inaugural leg will finally push through. We are thankful to Gov. Dalipog for this partnership,” said Coo, a four-time world champion bowler.
“This is the first time, it will definitely help our province, and our youth in their physical and mental health,” said Dalipog, who also received some sports equipment donated by the PSC to the province.
The inaugural PSC Laro ng Lahi sa Ifugao will feature five regular sports namely, boxing, wushu, wrestling, weightlifting, and taekwondo; and nine indigenous games such as Labba Race, Guyyudan (Tug of war), Kadang-kadang, Dopop di Babuy, Munbayu, Hanggul, Huktingan, Bultung and Dopap di Manuk.
The PSC wants to support and help the province of Ifugao develop its local sports program by organizing the tournament which is open to everyone, including out of school youths and members of the indigenous community in the province.
Coo believes that the upcoming project will be a good avenue to discover potential national athletes and strengthen the national training pool.
“Most of our successful national athletes are homegrown talents from the provinces. With this Laro ng Lahi, we aim to further widen our talent pool specially in female athletes across the country,” the bowling icon said.
PSC Deputy Executive Director Anna Christine Abellana, Philippine long jump queen and WIS consultant Elma Muros-Posadas, Mayor Gaspar Chilagan Jr. of Aguinaldo town in Ifugao and Executive Assistant Agustin Calya-en also attended the MOA signing. (PNA)
