PALARONG PAMBANSA 2024. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia greet the athletes at the Cebu City Sports Center for the formal opening ceremony of Palarong Pambansa on Tuesday (July 9, 2024). Marcos, who led the ceremonial lighting of the torch, said technology and social media play a big part in generating up-to-date results. (Photo courtesy of Cebu City-PIO)
CEBU CITY – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said the Palarong Pambansa 2024 sees the integration of technology and social media livestreaming to provide up-to-date results and data for Filipinos' consumption.
In his speech during the formal opening of the multi-sport event at Cebu City Sports Center, Marcos said the integration of technology "will not only connect the games to the families and fans around the world but also provide valuable data that we can use to improve performance in future competitions."
"Let this weeklong competition showcase not only the mental and physical fortitude of our athletes, but also the fortitude and strength of the Filipino heart and Filipino spirit," Marcos said.
The President encouraged the athletes, made up of grade school and secondary students, to make the national games a training ground and demonstrate the unwavering spirit, talent and dedication of all young Filipinos.
The Palaro, Marcos said, is more than just an interschool and inter-regional competition.
"It is also a platform where we discover, where we develop and hone future professional athletes, Olympiads, and servant leaders," he added, urging the student-athletes to become record-holders and champions.
According to the President, this year's edition of Palaro is particularly special because it marks many firsts.
"For one, we welcome the debut participation of athletes from the National Academy of Sports and the Philippine overseas schools. Dancesport will become a regular feature of this game," he said, citing Cebu as one of the most active in the dancesport competition.
Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said the Palaro has fostered unity among local government units, citing Cebu province's assistance to the city government’s hosting. (PNA)
