• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Organizers of the Western Visayas Athletic Association meet have adjusted the playing schedules of outdoor sports competitions, amid the high heat index forecasted in Negros Occidental, disclosed Ian Arnold Arnaiz, spokesperson of the Department of Education – Division of Negros Occidental.
A total of 4,756 athletes and officials are expected to participate in upcoming 2024 WVRAA meet to be hosted by the Divisions of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City on May 2 to 7.
For morning events, outdoor sports will start at 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. while outdoor sports in the afternoon will be played from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., Arnaiz said.
“There will be no outdoor games during the period in between the schedules,” he pointed out. He added that they see no problems with indoor venues of sports events as they are well-ventilated.
As to the problem of water, Arnaiz said that they have coordinated with the Bureau of Fire Protection who committed to deliver water to the billeting centers.
About 30 sports events will be played during the WVRAA, where 13 public schools in Bacolod City will host the different provincial delegations and technical officials.
The annual sports event will be played in 21 separate playing venues in Bacolod City and neighboring localities. Four of the venues are outside Bacolod City while three will be played inside shopping malls in the city.
The furthest venue is San Carlos City, which will host the elementary and secondary tennis matches.*
