There is something quietly extraordinary about a city that steps forward — not once, not twice, but three times — to open its arms to thousands of young athletes from across Central Visayas. The City of Naga has done exactly that.

The Schools Division of the City of Naga is gearing up for another historic double duty as the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) 2026 gets underway from March 22 to 27. SDO City of Naga is no stranger to this undertaking — being a host and a contender at the same time.

The Teodoro Mendiola Sports Field and Oval was inaugurated in December 2015 and served as the main venue for the 2016 CVIRAA games. It was the first step by Naga to announce to the region: we are ready, and we mean it. That oval hosted its first CVIRAA in 2016, then again in 2017, making Naga the first city to host the regional meet in back-to-back years. Now, nearly a decade later, SDO City of Naga answers the call for the third time — a feat no other division in Central Visayas has accomplished.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

If there is one chapter of this year's CVIRAA story that must not be skipped, it is this one. A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Cebu on September 30 of last year, and the City of Naga felt its tremors as well. A few months later, Typhoon Tino hit, adding further strain to facilities already weakened by the quake. Some venues were declared unfit.

Naga City Oval and Sports Field

For a moment, the question hung in the air: Could Naga still host? The answer, characteristically Nagahanon, was yes. The city did not relinquish its hosting duties; it found partners, made adjustments, and pressed on. Resilience, it is clear, runs deep in the hearts of the Nagahanons.

"Coaching is more than sports — it's building resilience, courage, and character." — Rae Atez, Overall Sports Coordinator

A Masterclass in Mobilization

Under the leadership of Dr. Ronald G. Gutay, Schools Division Superintendent, and Atty. Leviticus Barazon Jr., Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, the division mobilized over 300 athletes across 18 sports, including Paragames, supported by 69 coaches, 50 officials, and 19 trainers — all while coordinating logistics for thousands of regional competitors.

Preparations began in January, blending rigorous training with host-mode multitasking. After bringing home 16 medals at last year's CVIRAA held in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, Education Program Supervisor in MAPEH Nanette Repunte, together with overall Sports Coordinator Rae Atez, mapped out the division's strengths and identified areas for improvement.

From 3 to 6 PM daily, Team Naga student-athletes train rigorously so their practices do not hamper their academic performance. Routine extends into the weekends — from early morning drills to afternoon skills sessions and weekend conditioning. In the City of Naga, athletes are not just trained for the next game, but prepared for the rest of their lives.

A Strong Partnership

The tradition of proactive coordination between DepEd and the local government is Naga's quiet strength. Under the leadership of Mayor Val Chiong and city officials, SDO City of Naga has gained not just financial and logistical support, but a partnership model that has carried over into CVIRAA 2026.

In its steadfast commitment to nurturing young athletes, the City of Naga government has ensured that no student-athlete is left wanting, providing a comprehensive support package from head to toe. From crisp full-set uniforms to sun-shielding caps, every piece of apparel has been carefully provided. Hydration, vitamins, and meal allowances were made accessible to ensure peak performance.

Then there are the unsung propellers: the coach who stayed two extra hours; the adviser who processed documents at midnight; the school head who personally inspected billeting quarters to ensure every fan was working. Parents and guardians carry an invisible load, too, serving as part-time therapists and cheerleaders.

The Pride of the Home Court

There is something deeply meaningful about competing where you live. This year, with the familiar Nagahanon crowd behind them, our student-athletes carry something extra. The electrifying energy of hearing your own community cheer your name is at once deeply comforting and quietly humbling.

But home court is only part of the story. These student-athletes also look forward to standing across the line from the best young athletes Central Visayas has to offer — from Cebu City, Cebu Province, Bohol, and Mandaue City — measuring themselves honestly against that competition. They are here to grow, forging friendships that last far longer than any medal.

And as the flags of the participating divisions are raised and the anthems fill the air over the City of Naga, those of us who call this division home will feel pride in what we built and a deep satisfaction in seeing our children step onto the stage we prepared for them. They are here, no matter what. And so are we.

Mabuhi ka, Naga.