SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Feb. 4 (PIA) -- The 2024 La Union Schools Division Athletic Meet had its opening participated by schools from the 20 municipalities and city of the province in Bacnotan town on Feb. 4.

The set of athletic competitions shall run from the said date until Feb. 9, pitting young athletes with prowess in different sports.

As part of the opening festivities, a parade of athletes was held from Casimian road through the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University - North La Union Campus (DMMMSU-NLUC).

Bacnotan Mayor Divine Fontanilla says that her town’s hosting of the athletic meet contributes to the goal of the province of La Union to produce athletes who can compete on the world stage with the best that the world can offer.

“Kaisa po ang aming munisipyo sa adhikain ng probinsiya ng La Union na patuloy na magkaroon ng mga atletang titingalain at magiging modelo hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong mundo (Our municipality is one with the advocacy of the province of La Union to continue producing world-class athletes who can serve as role models and thrive not just in the Philippines but also throughout the world),” Fontanilla said.

The most notable recent example of a La Union athlete flourishing on the world stage include Jayson Orfiano, Jr.’s triumph at the 11th Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-Do International Martial Arts Championship held in Kenya last December, which includes bagging two gold medals for the country.

Orfiano, Jr. hails from Bauang town and is currently studying at the DMMMSU-Mid La Union Campus. 

Aside from the physical benefits of students participating in sports, it also contributes to better confidence as well as leadership, especially in team sports where the trait can be honed through students’ interactions with fellow student-athletes.

The 2024 iteration of the athletic meet comes after the successful conduct of the same activity in March 2023, with Bauang serving as the host municipality. (JCR/MJTAB/CCMT, PIA La Union)