The president of the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Region 5 is all praises for Zamboanga City as host of the PRISAA National Games 2023, citing the city’s exceptional success in terms of sports development and sports tourism programs.

Edgar C. Balasta, who heads the 567-strong delegates from Bicol region, biggest delegation in the ongoing PRISAA National Games in the city, stressed that their coming to Zamboanga City shows that Zamboanga is safe.

“Kahit malyo kami [but] pinapakita naming sa buong Pilipinas na safe ang Zamboanga. That’s why we are heavily supporting this city in hosting the PRISAA National Games 2023,” Balasta said.

“But other than that,” he added, “there is a very important reason, we want to learn from Zamboanga because in our series of meetings in coming here we saw with our naked eye how successful Zamboanga is in terms of sports development program.”

Balasta further said, “Imagine, of all provinces na naikut naming dito sa Pilipinas, kayo na yata ang may pinakamaraming international winners, and Zamboanga City is holding the country’s first Olympic gold medal in the person of Hidilyn Diaz.”

He thought it was only with Diaz that the city is becoming successful, but after visiting the office of City Sports Officer Cecile Atilano, Balasta said only then did he know that Zamboanga City was very much successful in its sports, having produced so many winners in various international sports events and continues to produce hopeful Olympic winners in the future.

“That is something different that I think every LGU in the country should come to Zamboanga and learn how this city puts emphasis in sports development, particularly in sports tourism,” the PRISAA Bicol region president stressed.

“That’s one thing that we are amazed. That’s why we are giving our province this good news. If you want to learn in sports, come to Zamboanga, they are serious about it and Zamboanga will teach you how to earn gold in the international competitions,” Balasta added.

He also commended the way the city is hosting the PRISAA National Games, especially the warm welcome and accommodation of the delegates upon arrival. Region 5 also known as Bicol Region, which covers the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon in the southern part of Luzon Island, will host next year’s PRISAA National Games, according to Balasta.-[Vic Larato]