ONE of the country’s biggest multi-event sports festivals – the 2011 PRISAA (Private Schools Athletic Association) National Collegiate Games – unwraps tomorrow in Zamboanga City.

According to PRISAA national chairman Emmanuel Y. Angeles, 5,000 athletes, officials and coaches from 15 regions will gather for the sportsfest which has a theme of “Sports for Sustainable Peace, Unity and Healthier Filipinos.”

Competition will be conducted in 18 different sports events until April 14.

The search for Ginoo and Mutya ng PRISAA 2011 will be held on April 13 while the vocal solo and duet competitions will be staged on April 11, both at the Summit Centre in Zamboanga City.

“Mounting this year’s national games has been particularly very challenging for us due to some quarters which tried to besmirch the reputation of the PRISAA,” said Angeles.  “But as you can see in the numbers, member schools have not wavered in supporting us but have instead renewed their commitment to PRISAA through their active participation.”

Angeles added that “PRISAA is very grateful to Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat, GMA 7 Chairman and President Atty. Felipe L. Gozon and all the sponsors for their untiring support and confidence in our organization.”

PRISAA is the country’s largest national sports association with more than 400 member colleges and universities from all 17 regions.

Since its revival in 1991 by Angeles – and with very minimal support from government – it has been successfully staging provincial, regional and national competitions every year geared towards countryside youth development through sports.

Former national track stars Lydia de Vega and Elma Muros have trained and honed their skills in the private schools sportsfest.         And so did basketball stars Jerry Codinera, Marlou Aquino and Joseph Feihl, among others.