Tuguegarao ready for Prisaa Games

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TUGUEGARAO CITY — First-time host Tuguegarao City will put up a grand opening ceremony for the 2025 Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) National Games on Saturday here at the Cagayan Sports Complex.

Perfecto Garcia III, tournament director of Socio Cultural and Academic Events, said that the city will give a grand welcome to all athletes and delegates from all regions.

"As much as I would like to give more details about it, I want it to be a big surprise. One thing I can share is that we coordinated with different state universities, stakeholders, the provincial governor, and the mayor of Tuguegarao," Garcia said during the 2025 PRISAA Games press conference at the Cagayan State University (CSU) on Friday.

"During the opening day, we are expecting 8,000 performers. That's how big the event is," he added.

Garcia said that hosting a multi-sport event has been a long time coming as they were supposed to host the games in 2017 but did not push through after a strong typhoon hit Tuguegarao.

Over 8,0000 athletes are expected to arrive for the games which will officially start on April 7.

The closing ceremony will be on April 11.

Tuguegarao is co-hosting the event with the provincial government o Cagayan.

City Mayor Maila Ting-Que said the event will also boost local tourism and economy.

"Local traders would earn more money from sold local items, aside from letting guests partake the famed rice noodles, pancit batil-patong," the mayor said.

"Let us show the world not only in our country what the Cagayanos and the Tuguegaraoeños are made of, not only as athletes but also as citizens. World-class athletes and world-class citizens. Let us claim victory. Let us celebrate what Tuguegarao City is and what Cagayan is all about," she added.

Commissioner Edward Hayco of the Philippine Sports Commission, meanwhile, said there is a "tectonic tweak" in this year's edition of the games.

He said this year's theme "Sustaining the country's inclusive grassroots program as a pathway to Olympics." will serve as a road map for young athletes.

"This is the road map. This is not just the theme. It is not just a national competition, it's a platform and a pathway to the Olympics," he said.

One of the notable products of Prisaa is 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz.

The PSC commissioner also lauded the city government of Tuguegarao for going all out and ensuring a seamless staging of the games.

UCV, where some of the games are to be held, also promised to offer the best they can do to bring the best experience for the guests.

"Everything is ready from the program, venue, accommodation for delegates, security, emergency responders, trade fair, to tourism activities that can be offered to visitors," said UCV president Esther Susan Perez-Mari.

"We have been preparing this for a year now as this is our first hosting. We believe we can do our best," she added.