THE ANNUAL athletic meet of state-run higher education institutions in Region I kicks off today, Nov. 23, in festive ceremonies to be held in downtown Batac and at the sprawling campus of host Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU).

Athletes from the different member-institutions of the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) of Region I began arriving on Thursday last week, with the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) coming in first, followed by the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC), and the Pangasinan State University (PSU).

At 2:30 pm, all delegates will attend the parade starting at the Imelda Cultural Center going to the MMSU Athletic Oval where the opening program will be held. MMSU President, Dr. Miriam E. Pascua, Batac City Mayor Jeffrey Jubal C. Nalupta, and Ilocos Norte Governor Michael M. Keon will welcome the delegates. As of press ime, it is uncertain if Congressman Ferdinand \"Bongbong\" Marcos Jr., who was invited to serve as guest of honor in the opening revelries, can attend.

The opening program will be highlighted by the playground demonstration of P.E. students of MMSU Batac and Laoag Campuses, and the Empanada Festival Dances featuring the ingredients and processes in the making of empanada, a home-grown delicacy of Batac. The performances will incorporate formal elements of Philippine folk dance from movement to costumes.

To develop friendship among all the athletes, a solidarity party will be held at the Teatro Ilocandia Main Hall at 7:30 p.m. Muses and escorts of each delegation will be presented during the socialization program where each school is expected to perform a musical presentation. Organizers advised delegates to wear their most fashionable clubwear in the party venue.

This year’s theme of the SCUAA-I meet--Zooming for Sports Excellence--aims to motivate young ilocano athletes to strive in making Region I in the line of the best and competitive athletes for national and international competitions.

Over a thousand athletes compete in 13 sports disciplines: athletics, swimming, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, football, taekwondo, sepak takraw, table tennis, badminton, chess, and lawn tennis.

The games will start tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. (Gretchen Mae Calapit)