ZAMBOANGA CITY – The stage is set for the upcoming Private Schools Athletic Association National Games, scheduled to take place in Zamboanga City from July 13 to 19.

“We are fully prepared. We have ample venues to meet the requirements of PRISAA,” stated Elbert Atilano Sr., the national executive director of PRISAA and chairman of the technical management committee, in a recent interview.

Over 6,000 athletes from 437 schools, colleges, and universities across the country will participate in this annual tournament, which was postponed for three years due to the pandemic.

Davao hosted the previous edition in 2019, where they secured third place overall, with Western Visayas (Region 6) and Central Visayas (Region 7) taking first and second place, respectively.

Zamboanga City, having previously hosted the PRISAA National Games on four occasions (1993, 2005, 2008, and 2011), is expected to deliver another well-organized tournament.

On June 9, the PRISAA Executive Board, chaired by Fr. Vicente Uy, SVD, held a joint meeting with the local organizing committee led by Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe. The meeting aimed to provide updates on the status of playing venues, accommodation facilities for athletes and officials, security measures, medical services, transportation arrangements, as well as facilities and equipment.

Atilano, who also represents Zamboanga Peninsula (Western Mindanao) in the PRISAA National Board, has been in constant communication with technical officials and stakeholders to address any concerns regarding equipment and facilities. He has also been coordinating the arrangements for the inclusion of gymnastics and archery, which are newly added sports in this edition of the games.

Laureao “Boy” Santos from Central Luzon (Region 3) and the PRISAA National secretary general, led the technical working group that conducted inspections of all the facilities that will be utilized during the tournament on June 10.

Athletes and officials from various regions are scheduled to arrive on July 12. The following day, a technical and solidarity meeting will be held at the JFEM Sports Complex main grandstand.

Furthermore, Richard Bachmann, chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), has been invited as the guest of honor for the opening ceremony, set to take place on July 13 at the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial (JEFM) Sports Complex.

Competition in 21 sports disciplines, including archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball (5×5), basketball (3×3), beach volleyball, boxing, dance sport, football, gymnastics, indoor volleyball, karatedo, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, and weightlifting, will commence on July 14.

Notably, one of PRISAA’s most celebrated alumni is Zamboangueña Hidilyn Diaz, who won the Philippines’ first-ever gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Previous provinces that have hosted the PRISAA National Games include Pampanga, Cebu, Zambales, and Bohol.