The unifying power of sports took center stage during the opening of the 26th season of the Philippine University Games (Unigames) at the Capitol Lagoon and Park in Bacolod City on Thursday afternoon.
Returning to its home city after 10 years, this year’s Unigames brings together more than 1,500 athletes and coaches from 41 colleges and universities nationwide for a week-long competition from Oct. 24 to 30.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson welcomed the participants, emphasizing that sports serve as a “powerful unifying force that transcends language, region, and belief.” He added that every contest is also “a deeper pursuit of friendship, respect, and shared pride in being Filipino.”
Lacson lauded the athletes for their dedication, saying sports are “not only about winning, but about building character, forging unity, and celebrating the best of the Filipino spirit.”
In a message read by City Administrator Mark Mayo, Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya said hosting the Unigames aligns with the city’s vision of becoming a hub for sports development. “Sports has a way of uniting people. It brings strangers together and turns effort into dream, competition into camaraderie,” he said.
The Negros Occidental provincial government leads this year’s hosting, with the Bacolod City government as co-host.
During the opening program, Unigames board chairman Bro. Felipe Belleza declared the games open, followed by the oath of sportsmanship led by De La Salle University volleyball star Angel Canino and the oath for officials and coaches led by badminton tournament manager Jay Biñas.
Competitions in athletics, basketball, volleyball, football, futsal, table tennis, badminton, taekwondo, and beach volleyball begin Friday.
Unigames secretariat head Malot Lozada said participation rose by nearly 25 percent from last year, with schools coming from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao — including major universities such as De La Salle, Adamson, National University, and University of the Philippines.