SENATOR Francis Tolentino lauded the people behind the successful hosting of the second regional leg of the Philippine Reserve Officers Training Corps Games in Zamboanga City.

“Masasabing tunay na matagumpay ang pagtatanghal ng ROTC Games dito sa Mindanao. Nais nating kunin ang pagkakataong pasalamatan ang lahat ng mga nasa likod ng tagumpay na ito, kabilang ang Department of National Defense, ang Commission on Higher Education, ang Philippine Sports Commission, ang Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Zamboanga, at ang napakarami pang nagbuhos ng panahon at lakas upang masiguradong ang kauna-unahang ROTC Games ay maidaraos nang matagumpay,” Tolentino said.

Cadet athletes from different ROTC units in various colleges and universities joined the tournament. Those who competed came from six regions in the southern part of the country, including Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The cadets showcased their skills in different sports such as track and field, basketball, kickboxing, boxing, arnis, volleyball and e-sports.

The next regional tournament will be in Luzon on September 17 to 23 in Tagaytay City, Tolentino said.

The Philippine ROTC Games will involve the ROTC units of the main service branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines – the Army, the Air Force and the Navy.

“Ang inyong karanasan sa ROTC Games ay magpa-unlad nawa sa inyong katawan, kaiisipan at kalooban, at gawin kayong mga tunay na pag-asa ng ating bayan,” the senator said.