Sporting events underway

By Paulo Loreto Lim

Sporting events for Dinagyang Festival 2018, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, are currently underway, having opened last week with the Dinagyang Mayor’s Cup, which ran from January 12 to 14, and ended with Santa Clarita International High School, based in the La Paz district of Iloilo City, winning the title over Bacolod Tay Tung High School (BTTHS).

Since then, an exhibition game between Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) teams TNT Ka-Tropa and the San Miguel Beermen was played at the University of San Agustin gym; the Mr. Iloilo Dinagyang Physique and Bodybuilding Competition was held at Robinsons Place Iloilo; and the Dinagyang Billiards Tournament took place at SM City Iloilo, which closed yesterday, January 17.

“I would like to encourage the young ones to practice making sports as part of their life,” said Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III.

Scheduled to open today is the Dinagyang Open 9-Ball Tournament at the X-Spot Billiards and Amusement Center, which is set to run until Saturday, January 20.

Among other sporting events scheduled to open include the Dinagyang 50K Ultra Marathon, a 20-Under chess tournament, the Grand Zumba Festival, a motocross derby, a darts competition, the Dinagyang 4×4 Off Road and Truck Fest Challenge, a swimming competition, the Bastonero National Invitational Arnis Tournament, a regional taekwondo competition, a pencak silat tournament, and the Dinagyang Auto Show.

In addition, beginning on Sunday, January 21, at SM City Iloilo, the Marian Rose World Mission 5K Run for a Cervical Cancer Free Iloilo kicks off at 4:00 a.m.; alongside a 21K half marathon.

Festival highlights are scheduled for next week, from January 26 to 28./PLL, WDJ