The 66th edition of the Palarong Pambansa will officially open today, May 24, in Agusan del Sur, with the Department of Education introducing new sports events and expanded participation aimed at making the country’s largest scholastic sporting event more inclusive.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the annual games continue to adapt to the changing needs and aspirations of young Filipino athletes.
“Palarong Pambansa continues to evolve alongside the aspirations of our learners. This year, we are opening more spaces for participation, recognizing more forms of athletic excellence, and creating a competition environment that is fairer and more inclusive,” Angara said in a statement Friday.
New events for this year include weightlifting, football for secondary girls, and futsal for elementary girls.
Demonstration sports such as karate, kickboxing, and soft tennis will also be featured, while Muay Thai and selected Paragames events — sitting volleyball and table tennis — will be staged as exhibition events to promote inclusivity.
The Department of Education also expanded participation with the return of the Negros Island Region as a separate delegation. Independent teams from the Philippine Schools Overseas and the National Academy of Sports will likewise compete in the weeklong event.
DepEd also introduced updated competition policies, including a modified winner-take-all rule for team sports, continued qualifying standards for athletics, swimming, and archery, and a home region representation policy.
Athletes from the national training and developmental pools will also be allowed to participate.
Angara said preparations have been completed for the arrival of around 11,000 learner-athletes from across the country.
“We believe that through a fairer and more inclusive Palarong Pambansa this year, every young athlete will be given greater opportunities to fully showcase their talent, potential, and excellence,” he added.
The games, hosted by the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur in partnership with DepEd-Caraga, the Schools Division Office of Agusan del Sur, the Philippine Sports Commission, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, will run until May 31.
