Caraga Regional Athletic Games 2024
Clad in colorful uniforms, over 8,000 student athletes from all over the Caraga region trooped to the Datu Lipus Makapandong Democrito O. Plaza Sports Complex in Prosperidad town in Agusan del Sur during the opening ceremony of the Caraga Regional Athletic Games (CaRAGa) 2024 on Sunday afternoon, May 5.
Event Details
Hosted by the provincial government of Agusan del Sur, the regional sporting event runs from May 5 to May 11, with the aim of selecting the region’s finest representatives for the upcoming Palarong Pambansa in July, to be held in Cebu. Similar sporting events were also ongoing elsewhere in the country.
The Caraga sports event brought together athletes from elementary graders to senior high school students across the 12 public school divisions from the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Island, participating in 25 sports disciplines.
Venue and Facilities
Ma. Ines Asuncion, director for Caraga of the Department of Education (DepEd), said this year’s athletic games are the “best ever” in the region, citing the venue as the finest they have had in recent years.
The sports complex is fully operational, featuring a 3,000-seat capacity grandstand, a rubberized track and field oval, a football field with artificial grass, an Olympics-size swimming pool, air-conditioned courts for volleyball and basketball, tennis courts, and a 24-room hotel capable of accommodating guests and delegates.
Precautions and Safety Measures
Pedro Tecson, DepEd spokesperson in Caraga, said outdoor games would be suspended from 11 am to 3 pm because of the anticipated rising temperatures during the period due to the El Nino phenomenon.
He also said first aid stations were put in place, and doctors, nurses, other medical personnel, and rescuers have been fielded to the sports venue and billeting quarters.
Local Support and Future Plans
Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane Jr. mentioned that water tanks have been set up in the different billeting quarters, and fire trucks are on standby to provide assistance with water supply.
In March, the provincial government of Agusan del Sur formally submitted its bid to host the Palarong Pambansa in 2026, showing commitment to further develop sports infrastructure in the region.