Lingayen, Pangasinan (27 February) -- THE 2008 Ilocos Region Athletic Association meet opened last Sunday at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) with some 6,000 participating athletes from various public schools both elementary and secondary levels in the entire region vying for the gold medals.

Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr., together with the members of the board headed by Vice Governor Marlyn Primicias-Agabas and some local officials, welcomed the young athletes as he reiterated his call to genuine sportsmanship and sports excellence.

A grand parade at the Capitol area started the weeklong sports event followed by a program at the NRSCC grandstand.

Governor's Night has been scheduled on the 27th at 8 p.m. in front of the grandiose Capitol building.

Thirteen divisions will vie in various sports events that start tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. in different venues such as Pangasinan School of Arts and Trades for arnis; PNP headquarters for tennis, football and basketball girls divisions; St. Columban's College for table tennis; DepEd I for chess; Veterans Park for boxing and NRSCC for all the other events.

Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. expressed gratitude to the organizers for making Pangasinan the host province of this year's IRAA because one of his prime concerns, he said, is youth development through sports.

He also reiterated his call on the youth to get involved and excel in sports which is a prelude to the Palarong Pambansa 2009 that the province will also be hosting.

Last year's IRAA overall champion was Ilocos Norte. Pangasinan I bagged the second place in the elementary level, while it took the third place finish in the high school level.

In reverse, Pangasinan II bagged the 2nd place in the high school level, but took third place standing in the elementary level.

Supt. Harris Fama, chief of operations of the Pangasinan PNP, said full security coverage and safety services will be accorded the participating delegates, organizers, VIPs and the public.

The security measures, he said, include traffic and crowd control assistance, deployment of police personnel to all sites of the sports events, and deployment of 24-hour roving team in all strategic areas to protect the public from any forms of criminal elements which are imminent during the event.

Likewise, Fama said the Pangasinan PNP has formed teams of policemen who would be regularly monitoring the various schools in Lingayen and Binmaley where the participating delegates will be billeted to ensure their safety. (PIA-Pangasinan)