THOUSANDS OF CAR ATHLETES READY TO PLUNGE INTO ACTION; ANTICIPATE CHILLY WEATHER, TRAFFIC

February 15, 2025 Provincial

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet

Start ‘em young. A motivation and aspiration. Every athlete dreams to become future members of the national training pool, a big ticket to represent the country against highly motivated, seasoned and science-based trained athletes in the world stage of sports like — Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), Asian Games (AG), Summer Olympics.
The Cordillera Administrative Regional Athletic Association (CARAA) is one of the first step en-route to Palarong Pambansa, a school-based sports event.

CARAA games will start on February 24 (Monday) following the official opening ceremony at 4pm on Sunday (Feb. 23) at the newly refurbished multi-million Benguet Sports Complex here with Education Secretary Sonny Angara as keynote speaker. The Torch Relay will be bannered by Jordz Ivan Baccay, Andrei Limpiada,Prince Patras and Mansawi Macalangcom, all silver medalists in the 2024 Batang Pinoy.

Benguet Governor Melchor D. Diclas and Regional Director Estlela P. Leon-Carino of DepEd-CAR will lead the Lighting of the Torch. The Oath of Sportmanship will be led by Benguet athlete Ayesha Bantasan, 2024 Batang Pinoy gold medlaist. The five-day sports meet that will run until Feb. 28 will test the skills, grit and stamina of primary and secondary student-athletes from Abra, Apayao. Baguio City,Ifugao, Kalinga, Tabuk City, Mt. Province and host Benguet, who will be competing in 32 sports disciplines to include para and demonstration sports.

Weightlifting will have its debut in this sports conclave only for secondary level (boys/ girls). It has 10 weight categories – for boys (48 kg, 52 kg.,56kg., 60 kg., and 60kg and above); while for girls (40 kg., 44kg 48 kg.,53kg., 53kg above). And Mua Thai will be on its second year to be staged. A total of 3, 137 medals will be awarded to winners. In 2024 CARAA edition, powerhouse and perennial overall champion Baguio City, a number are native born in Cordillera provinces, but are studying in the Summer Capital, topped the annual school-based sports meet 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.

Primo Agatep/ABN