DUBAI: Philippine Education Secretary Leonor Briones, who was in Dubai on official business, is looking into the possibility of having young Filipino athletes in the UAE join the annual Palarong Pambansa back home.
Briones stopped by at the championship games, last Friday, Aug. 22, of the 3rd edition of Congen’s Cup organized by the Philippine Consulate and held at the People of Determination Sports Complex near the Dubai Metro’s Stadium station, where, accompanied by Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes, she watched the action and delivered her message to the Filipino youth.
In her speech during half time break, Briones said it is time to explore the possibility of having Filipinos in the UAE join the Palarong Pambansa, a major sports event back home by the Department of Education (DEPED).
“Kasi ang palarong Pambansa is a national event of the Department of Education,” Briones told The Filipino Times in an interview shortly after.
“Now Dubai and UAE schools are interested in participating. After all, these are run and managed by Filipinos. And so we will be negotiating for Dubai to attend the Palaro this year in April to be held in Davao so they can see how Palaro is managed and we can discuss with the Palaro board how this schools in the UAE can participate,” Briones said.
The Education Secretary was in Dubai to attend the Global Education and Skills Forum held March 21 to 24.