More or less 5,000 Athletes from both elementary and secondary levels will compete in different sports events during the Zamboanga City Division Qualifying Meet that reels off March 7 to 10 at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex in Baliwasan.

Opening ceremonies will kick off with the parade of athletes at 5pm Thursday with Mayor John Dalipe and City Schools Superintendent Dr. Majarani Jacinto leading the program.

A total of 8 clusters are participating in the division qualifying event – 6 are public schools, 1 private and 1 from the state universities and colleges (SUC). These are the The meet will have 24 sporting events to include archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, billiard, boxing, chess, football, futsal, gymnastics, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, wushu, wrestling, dancesport, pencak silat and Para Games (bocce, goalball).

The Division Meet will select athletes who will represent Zamboanga City during the Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association Meet (Qualifying Meet), which Zamboanga City will host from April 21-27, after 18 years.

Education officials hope to develop physical skills, self-discipline and good sportsmanship among the athletes. (Sheila Covarrubia)