Tagbilaran City is now easing towards “new normal” and has started to host sporting events which were banned several months ago because of the threat posed by the Coronavirus disease (Covid).
Having sporting events involving close contact among the players were impossible before.
However, with the decreasing cases of Covid and the increased number of Tagbilaranons who are fully vaccinated, the City Government, led by Mayor John Geesnell Yap II, decided to host basketball and volleyball tournaments, and these activities coincide with the celebration of Saulog 2022.
The Inter-Barangay Basketball and Volleyball League 2022 opened on March 23, 2022 at the Saulog Gymnasium, according to the City Media Bureau.
The tournament opened with a parade featuring the participating teams and their respective muses.
Mayor Yap, First Lady Jane Yap, City Councilors Adam Jala and Joseph Bompat, city council candidates Gemma Inting, Atoy Torralba, and Charles Cabalit, Sangguniang Kabataan Federated President Jose Floro Ringca, and City Youth Development Officer Marbert Remolador were among the dignitaries who attended the opening ceremonies.
Mayor Yap emphasized the importance of sporting events.
“We may have been sidelined for almost two years due to the pandemic. Now, that we are given a chance to gather again, let us not waste this opportunity to develop the camaraderie, sportsmanship, honesty, resilience, and grit of our local players. Competitions such as these serve as an avenue to highlight one’s determination to succeed,” Mayor Yap said.
The muses of the participating teams also competed for the Miss Inter-Barangay 2022 title. Shane Smith Kalifa from barangay Poblacion III bagged the title.
Four volleyball games are scheduled today, March 27, 2022 at the barangay Poblacion II covered court where Brgy. Poblacion 1 Women’s Volleyball Team will up against the team from Poblacion III.
Moreover, in the second game barangay Poblacion II Women’s Volleyball Team will compete against barangay Booy’s team.
The third game will be a men’s volleyball game between barangay Poblacion 1 and barangay Poblacion III.
Meanwhile, the last game for today will be between the men’s volleyball team of barangay Poblacion II and the team from barangay Booy.
All the athletes competing in the inter-barangay competition are fully-vaccinated. The basic health protocol such as the wearing of face masks, washing of hands, and physical distancing shall be strictly observed during the conduct of the competition.