By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.

Aimed to re-establish Negros Occidental as one of the country’s seed-beds of best softball players, the Negros First Gov. Freddie Marañon Inter-Hacienda Softball League is set to open today at the Hda. Lourdes Ballpark in Manapla town.
Twelve softball teams from Manapla, Cadiz City and Bacolod City are up for the top honors of this event which will run until June 27.
Among the teams seeing action include: Hda. Gaston, Dos Hermanos, Cadiz Slugger, Hda. Cuaycong, Hda. Guin-olayan Proper, Guin-olayan Dapdap, Hda. Laguda, Hda. Nahulog, Burgos Team, Cadiz Pta. Salong, Domingo Lacson National High School, and host, Hda. Lourdes.
The event starts with a caravan through the major streets of Manapla to the main venue at Hda. Lourdes Ballpark followed by the opening rites with Gov. Marañon as honorary guest alongside provincial sports coordinator Nonong Verdeflor.
Manolet Escalate will give the welcome remarks followed by an inspirational talk from town Mayor Lourdes Escalante, while to declare the tournament open is Councilor Ritchie Legada, Chairman of the Committee on Sports of the Manapla Sangguniang Bayan.
With the staging of this tournament, Manapla government is likewise looking to further improve their sports tourism program and expose what the town can offer to help its people earn additional income./WDJ