As TAU rounds off final stretch of preparations
SCUAA III Olympics to Push Through Next Week
Holding brooms, wrenches, and shovels, TAUinians are now wrapping up the groundwork for SCUAA (State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association) III Regional Olympics which will return to Tarlac Agricultural University on 19-25 February.
Only a few repairs are now underway as all facilities have already been constructed or retrofitted. Most of the games will be held inside the campus except for some which will be conducted at Tarlac Recreation Park, Camiling Sport Complex, Sta. Ignacia Covered Court, Brgy. Malacampa Covered Gym, and Sta. Maria Multi-Purpose Hall. The athletes will be billeted in colleges and two neighboring public schools in Brgy. Malacampa.
In an interview, Dr. Noel J. Petero, Vice President for Finance and Administration, mentioned several development updates intended for the sports meet. “We have installed solar-powered lights along Romulo highway,” Dr. Petero brought up. “This, on top of provisions for lighting for parkways and pavements and makeshift bathrooms.”
Dr. Petero also disclosed that the TAU administration cleared up some portions of the university to give way to additional parking lots as hundreds of vehicles are expected to overwhelm the existing parking spaces.
“We are doing our best to make our guests feel welcome. We also want our country’s future sports heroes to be in their best form and shape when they compete under their respective alma mater’s banner,” Dr. Petero said.
When it comes to guaranteeing the safety and welfare of delegates, Ms. Yolanda F. Juan, Chief Administrative Officer for Administration, shared that TAU had been preparing for months already. “We have trained volunteer first aid responders who will be deployed to assist in all venues of competitions.”
Ms. Juan also stated that the TAU Incident Management Team will work hand in hand with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Tarlac, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Camiling and neighboring towns, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and other government agencies during the seven-day athletic event.
Expected to convene thousands of athletes and university officials, the SCUAA III Regional Olympics will be officially commenced on 20 February at the TAU Grandstand. Also, the opening ceremony will be honored by Dr. J. Prospero E. de Vera III, Chairman of Commission on Higher Education, Hon. Jaime D. Cojuangco, Representative of the First District of Tarlac, SUC presidents, and sports directors.
Aside from hosting the virtual edition last year, the state university in Camiling, Tarlac last organized the games in 2014.
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