LINGAYEN, Pangasinan April 20 – Town folks, beach goers and sports buffs will witness intense action with the staging of Paboksing ed Gulpo and Beach Volleybelles competition at the Capitol beachfront next week as part of the Pistay Dayat celebration.
Now on its 8th year, the boxing bouts are slated on April 28 at the back of the Urduja House while the beach volleyball tournament is set on April 30 and May 1.
Provincial Sports Consultant Modesto Operania, bared that the staging of the two sporting events, fully supported by the provincial administration, paves the way for the development of skills and techniques in boxing and volleyball.
“The sporting events have also become avenues for local players to showcase their potentials in sports,” Operania said as he noted that sports executives of Manila and Baguio-based universities and colleges will watch the competition and scout talents to be honed as varsity players of their respective schools.
“In fact, elite universities and colleges in Manila have absorbed a number of homegrown sports talents from Pangasinan who are now making big waves in their sports inclinations,” Operania added.
The boxing tournament will have 30 Pacquiao wannabes battling for supremacy in 15 weight divisions.
Meanwhile, the beach volleyball competition, jointly sponsored by the provincial government and 2nd district Congressman Leopoldo Bataoil, gathers together “collegialas” from Manila-based universities and colleges and local players studying in Pangasinan vying for the championship tilt.
The beach volleyball tourney starts on April 30 (8AM onwards) at the Capitol beachfront for its elimination games. Semi-finals is set in the morning of May 1 (8AM onwards) while the championship round is set at 3PM.
It can be recalled that the two sporting events became an added delight of the annual Pistay Dayat celebration under the administration of former Pangasinan governor and now 5th district Representative Amado T. Espino, Jr.
Sponsored sporting events, on the other hand, include: Airsoft Competition and Military Simulation Games to be held at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center and Pangasinan National High School on April 22-23 at 8AM onwards; Pangasinan Golf Tournament at the Bonuan Beach Club in Dagupan City on April 23 at 6AM onwards; and the 1st Urduja Cup (Invitational Shootfest) scheduled on April 29 to May 1 at the Pangasinan PNP grounds.
By Dexter A. See