AFTER three years, finally, CARAA or the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association is expected to make a comeback.
Recently, the Department of Education (DepEd – CAR) in the region held a planning conference to discuss the holding of the regional sports meet which was last held in 2019 and eventually shelved in 2020 until last year due to the pandemic.
This is in preparation for the 2023 Palarong Pambansa slated fromJuly 29 to August 5, 2023.
Before the pandemic broke, Baguio was supposed to host CARAA in 2020 while three provincial government units have signified to host the regional meet, but plans were shelved after COVID hit the globe.
Prior to the pandemic, DepEd had solicited bidders for the hosting of CARAA from 2020 until last year to ensure a well – prepared sports facilities, billeting schools as well as athletes and coaches.
DepEd – CAR is planning to hold the sports meet for elementary and high school students from Abra, Apayao, Baguio City, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mt. Province and Tabuk City on April 29 to May 1, 2023.
With the guidelines set by DepEd Memorandum No. 005, series 2023, the 2023 CARAA Meet will adhere to the modified competition format that aims to prevent the disruption of classes and to observe minimum public health and safety protocols as stated in DepEd Order No. 34, s. 2022, and other relevant policies and guidelines issued by DepEd.
CARAA is expected to be patterned after the Batang Pinoy National Finals held in Vigan a few months ago where several competitions were played virtually while other events were played on site.
DepEd has yet to release the final guidelines on what sports event will be played virtually and what competition will be played in the venue.
While DepEd is currently busy setting guidelines and doing the much needed preparations for the holding of the regional games, they have yet to receive proposals for the hosting of at least 5,000 athletes, officials, and chaperons.
Who would be willing? That would be another story.
