Leyte eyes gold medals in regional sports meet

PALO, Leyte, Feb. 1 -- A total of 634 delegates from Leyte division is set to make another milestone in this year’s Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) meet in Calbayog City, Samar on February 4-9.

Edgar Tenasas, assistant schools division superintendent for Leyte, said in an interview Wednesday the province “dreams to become the champion”.

“We will fight our battle well. Though we are expecting so much, we will also accept whatever is the result. Things happen in EVRAA, and we’ll take it professionally,” Tenasas said during the recently-concluded division collaboration meeting.

Tenasas called on everyone’s support during the conduct of the various games in the host division while reminding them to report whatever risk or hazard the delegation would encounter during the event.

“Each member of the committee is very important. We will insist orderliness on ourselves,” he said.

Meanwhile, Leyte division athletic manager and sports coordinator Raul A. Salano disclosed that 578 athletes, coaches and chaperones and another 56 school officials, management and staff comprised the 634 Leyte delegation under the banner “The Leyte Conquerors”.

“Our measurable outcome is to have a gold medal per sports event and become an overall champion,” Salano said.

He also assured that winners were going to receive incentives for every medal they get during the sporting event.

The division officials thanked Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla for the PHP3.5-million financial assistance extended to the athletes, coaches, trainers, officials, and entire delegation.

Last year, Leyte bagged 97 gold, 72 silver, and 66 bronze medals, besting other 12 divisions in the Eastern Visayas region during the EVRAA in Naval, Biliran.

EVRAA's top winners will represent the region in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Sur. (ROR/PNA)