FIRST LEAD CARAA 2025 OFFICIALLY OPENS IN A HIGH NOTE AMID RAINS

February 25, 2025 Sports

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet

Dare to dream. For 3,774 student-athletes , the best in their school, community and their province/city ,its their moment of glory after countless hours of training and sacrifice. They will be competing in 32 sports disciplines in quest for top honors for the 3,137 medals at stake which include 988 gold medals. The 2025 Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA), actually officially opened on Sunday (Feb.23) at the refurbished multi-million Bengue Sports Complex here. ” Fostering a United and Healthier Cordillera through Sports.”

Weightlifting, inspired by Hidilyn Diaz, who gave the country’s first Olympic gold medal in 1924 Paris Olympics will be debuting in the five-day school-based sports meet. It will showcase 10 weight categories in the boys’s/girl’s secondary level ,and muai thai which is in its second year, will be played as demonstration sports. Para games – swimming, athletics and bocce will also be highlighted. It provide a platform for Para athletes with a diverse range of impairments to showcase their outstanding abilities. Swimmers will have the chance to test their mettle in the newly constructed , ultra modern swimming pool inside the sports complex. Athletes to include host Benguet are raring to sprang into action and determined to improve their third overall standing in last year edition.

In 2024 CARAA edition, powerhouse and perennial overall champion Baguio City, a number of iathletes came from Cordillera provinces, but are studying in the Summer Capital, ranked first with 238-11-72 (gold-silver-bronze) medal tally, followed by then host Apayao 62-74-107; Benguet 50-91-89; Abra 16-32-48; Kalinga 14-31-57; and Mt. Province 5-27-47. Earlier,, in a show of solidarity and care, local government units of the province – La Trinidad, Sablan,Tublay ,Itogon and Tuba, separately hosted a thunderous yet warm welcome programs to the different delegations – athletes, coaches, school officials and their support groups.

Primo Agatep with reports from Jhawe Saldaen-Hubert Balageo/UB Interns