THE 60th edition of the Palarong Pambansa promises to be bigger and special this time around.
Four more sports disciplines have been added and athletes who became champions in the past and then later excelled at the national and international scene will be feted.
This will make the staging of the annual scholastics’ sports meet more exciting when action gets going on April 23 in San Jose, Buenavista, Antique.
Department of Education assistant secretary Tonisito Umali said Palaro athletes who later became “legends” will be recognized during the opening ceremonies. Umali was at the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday with deputy secretary general Cesar Abalon.
Sprint queen Lydia de Vega and Elma Muros will lead the honorees, along with Marestela Torres in athletics.
Then, there’s Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco, of Bago City and Atlanta Olympic silver medallist in boxing.
Others are Dyan Castillejo for tennis also Joper Escueta and Gabriel Magnaye for badminton; Violito Payla for boxing; Enchong Dee and Eric Buhain for swimming; Joan Chan for archery; and Mark Paragua for chess.
They also have in their list Philippine Basketball Association players Danny Ildefonso, Marlou Aquino, Willie Miller, Samboy Lim, and Kirby Raymundo; and Azkals’ Chieffy Caligdong.
Umali said they are among the outstanding talents that the Games have produced.
Organizers have also added wushu, wrestling, billiards and futsal to their list of regular events.
This means that instead of 21 sports disciplines, there will be a total of 25 that will be played during the weeklong meet.
“Ang dating demo sports na wushu, wrestling, billiards at futsal ay magiging bahagi na ng medal tally,” said Umali, who is also the Palarong Pambansa secretary general.
Umali was at the weekly PSA Forum on Tuesday with deputy secretary general Cesar Abalon.
Palaro organizers will also introduce three demo sports, namely aero gymnastics, pencak silat and dance sport. There are also plans to include 3×3 basketball in the mix.