Hosting for CARAA 2020 onwards up for grabs

By Georaloy I. Palao-ay

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The hosting rights for the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) sports meet for the next three years is up for grabs.

The regional Dept. of Education – Cordillera announced it is now accepting bidders to host the biggest annual regional sports competition for 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Deadline of submission of letters of intent to the DepEd Cordillera regional office from interested bidders is Sept. 27.

The early identification of hosts will ensure well prepared sports facilities, billeting schools as well as athletes and coaches according to DepEd officials.

DepEd CAR Regional Director May B. Eclar said that this will allow would-be hosts to have ample time to prepare standard sports facilities as well as enough billeting centers for student-athletes.

“Also, our local government units whether from the barangay level up to the provincial level will be able to gauge their budget allotments relative to sports development and participation to competitions such as the CARAA for the next three years,” she added.

Regional sports coordinator Agustin B. Gumuwang said bidders should consider first their sports facilities that include a rubberized track oval that is accessible and free to the public.

The DepEd officials said they hoped sports facilities should be at at par with international standards for competitions and trainings.

“With the best sports facilities, we can train and be more competitive in our engagements in different sports competitions here or abroad; not only for CARAA or Palarong Pambansa but also in other national and international sports arenas,” said Gumuwang.

The host locality should also have basic services such as medical and dental, communications, water and electric power supply and the peace and order situation in the locality must be excellent and conducive to the holding of the regional activity.

Eclar said that the capability and willingness of the LGU to shoulder expenses necessary for the hosting of the CARAA meet, including construction and renovation of sports facilities, billeting and other infrastructure requirements is also part of the criteria.

“There should also be the manifestation of uncompromising unity of all socio-economic political groups, government, and non-government entities in ensuring the successful staging of the regional sports event,” said Eclar.