MORE than 6,000 athletes and delegation officials converged in the City of Naga as Central Visayas’ largest school-based sporting event returned to the southern city for a weeklong competition.
The City of Naga hosted the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet from March 22 to 28, 2026, gathering a total of 6,430 participants from 12 school divisions across the region.
Official figures showed 5,263 athletes competing in elementary, secondary, and Paragames categories.
The delegation also included 819 coaches, 198 assistant coaches, and 1,167 chaperones supporting the participants throughout the event.
At the elementary level, organizers recorded 1,938 athletes composed of 1,151 males and 787 females.
Secondary athletes reached 3,126, including 1,725 males and 1,401 females. The Paragames category added 199 athletes, with 112 males and 87 females.
The meet featured delegations from Bohol, Bogo City, Carcar City, Cebu City, Cebu Province, City of Naga, Danao City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Tagbilaran City, Talisay City, and Toledo City.
Cebu Province fielded the largest overall delegation with 725 participants. Cebu City followed with 671, while Lapu-Lapu City registered 649.
Other delegations included Bohol with 669 participants, Mandaue City with 626, Toledo City with 583, City of Naga with 545, Tagbilaran City with 519, Talisay City with 511, Danao City with 448, Carcar City with 429, and Bogo City with 207.
In terms of athletes alone, the total reached 5,962. Cebu Province listed 589 athletes, Cebu City 545, Lapu-Lapu City 519, Tagbilaran City 519, Bohol 552, Mandaue City 511, Toledo City 478, Talisay City 434, Danao City 380, Carcar City 357, and Bogo City 162.
The Department of Education in Central Visayas said the City of Naga is hosting the regional meet for the third time after previously staging the games in 2016 and 2017.
This year’s event involved 12 school divisions, reduced from 20 following the transfer of eight divisions to the newly established Negros Island Region.
Preparations covered the upgrading of sports facilities, billeting arrangements, transportation, and security for the weeklong competition.
The City Government of Naga coordinated with the Department of Education–City of Naga Division to ensure the smooth conduct of the meet.
Mayor Valdemar Chiong, Vice Mayor Virgilio Chiong, and members of the City Council worked with Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ronald G. Gutay and Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Atty. Leviticus M. Barazon Jr. in overseeing preparations.
The City of Naga earlier hosted the National Festival of Talents in 2024, which organizers said reinforced the city’s capability to handle large-scale academic and athletic competitions.
Organizers said the hosting aims to provide a safe, organized, and welcoming environment for learner-athletes, coaches, and officials participating in the Central Visayas regional meet.
