About 1700 athletes from the University-system rallied their flags during the opening program of the University Games 2022, a four-day campaign in about 22 sporting events | Courtesy of The Forum Publication x The Kawayan Communicator, official student media partners for the coverage of #UGames2022
The thrilling sports action in the University returns as the University Games 2022 formally opens earlier this Thursday (May 26).
The race to hoist the flags, torch lit, and the cauldron’s blazing fire- symbols that mark the annual sporting marathon, resurfaced once more two years after the break of the COVID pandemic.
About 1,700 strong contingents from different campuses rumbled the grounds of the Cauayan City Sports Complex, rendering a colorful parade for the opening ceremony.
This year’s UGames is hosted by ISU Cauayan Campus, airing with the theme “harnessing sports as enabler in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals”.
In his message, Dr. Boyet L. Batang, ISU Vice President for Academics, stressed how the pandemic experience allowed the University “to transcend the demands of the new normal and build our society’s learning opportunities like sports development into a new perspective of growth.”
Members of the ISU Management line-up for the official commencement of UGames2022 at Cauayan Sports Complex with ISU Cauayan Campus as this year’s host | Courtesy of The Forum Publication x The Kawayan Communicator, official student media partners for the coverage of #UGames2022
“The university’s development framework viewed that sport has the capacity to transform the lives of individuals. It bolsters physical, psychological, emotional, and social well-being and development. Our dear athletes, today’s University Games is an opportunity for growth more than an avenue to display power or force. It is an avenue of learning to enable us to be creative and critical thinker based on a holistic behavior ready to be enabler of change in society”, Dr. Batang furthered.
Meanwhile, Dr. Precila C. Delima, Campus Executive of the host campus, encouraged the athletes to take most of the opportunity to unwind and play after some years without physical contacts.
“Character is more important than winning. As we develop our character, this would help us achieve our dream to win”, says Mr. Philip A. Rasdas, University Sports Director, cuing the formal opening of the games.
The sporting marathon will last for four days with athletes battling for gold, silver, and bronze in about 22 sporting events. (GZ/BJC/JF-UMIS-CMS)