The 64th Palarong Pambansa is set to have its opening ceremony at the “Queen City of the South”, Cebu City, as the host for this year’s sports festivities, on Tuesday, July 9.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and outgoing Department of Education (DepEd) secretary, Vice President Sara Duterte will lead the ceremony at the Cebu City Sports Center where more than 5,000 student-athletes from 17 regions in the country are expected to participate.
The day will start with an opening parade of athletes followed by the opening ceremony proper.
In the tentative program flow, Duterte, as the outgoing DepEd secretary, will be introducing President Marcos as the keynote speaker of the ceremony.
Duterte expressed her appreciation towards sectors that helped the Department of Education in conducting the Palarong Pambansa this year.
“Ang Palarong Pambansa 2024 ay nagpapatunay sa paninindigan at dedikasyon ng DepEd para sa ating mga mag-aaral. Kinikilala din natin ang iba’t-ibang mga sektor na tumulong sa DepEd para muli nating maisagawa ito ngayong taon,” the Vice President said on her official statement on Tuesday.
"Sa ating mga atleta, dito ay hindi kayo uuwing talo – dahil ang inyong partisipasyon sa ating mga kompetisyon ay isa nang tagumpay para sa bawat isa sa inyo," she added.
Among the included sporting events for this year are archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, billiards, dance sports, table-tennis, taekwondo, sepak takraw, softball, football, gymnastics, and volleyball.
Cebu City will be hosting the multi-sport event after 30 years since its last hosting in 1994. This year’s Palarong Pambansa will be held from July 9-16.
