Gov. Marcos Manotoc urges Ilokano Athletes to uphold sportsmanship, unity at R1AA 2024 opening

“To the players, play your best, play hard, but respect your opponents, and respect the game. Kahit manalo o matalo, we accept the result and shake the hand of our opponent and the referee or umpire. As they say, may we be humble in victory, and gracious in defeat,” Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc remarked during the opening program of 2024 Region 1 Athletic Association (R1AA) Meet on April 22.

He also offered the use of the Ferdinand E. Marcos (FEM) Memorial Stadium to the whole region, stating, “This Marcos stadium is not only the home of sports of Ilocos Norte, and it is not only Ilocos Norte’s, but it is also yours, it is Region One’s, and we invite you and remind you that you are always welcome to train here.”

The FEM stadium is one of the Provincial Government’s big ticket projects which serves as Ilocos Norte’s center for sports and community events.

Over 10,300 athletes and coaches from the 14 schools divisions of Region 1, namely, from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan I, Pangasinan II, Alaminos City, Batac City, Candon City, Dagupan City, Laoag City, San Carlos City, San Fernando City, Urdaneta City, and Vigan City, will compete in the R1AA meet.

Meanwhile, Atty. Donato D. Balderas, Jr., Schools Division Superintendent of the Division of Ilocos Norte assured the public that all necessary preparations were already observed in order to keep the delegates comfortable on the billeting schools.

Dr. Tolentino G. Aquino, Regional Director of DepEd RO1 additionally remarked, “We are here now in order raise the flag for Region 1. At the end of the day, all of us, together are going to Cebu City.”

Moreover, Gov. Marcos Manotoc also emphasized the significance of unity as he reminded the young Ilokano athletes to remain humble and be respectful of their opponents.

“For after all, let us all remember, we are all Ilokano, so were all on the same team,” he said.

He further pledged to improve the coaching and nutrition of players as well as expand playing venues to give young athletes greater exposure.

Gov. Marcos Manotoc’s commitment to these improvements will enable the province to host more competitions in the future, particularly the Palarong Pambansa 2025, as he works to further establish Ilocos Norte as the sports hub of Northern Luzon.

The R1AA 2024 will be conducted until April 27, 2024, while the Palarong Pambansa 2024 is scheduled from July 11 to 15, 2024 at Cebu City.