Tacloban City (August 19) -- In line with the commemoration of the Civil Service Month in September, the Region Eight Administrators League is organizing the 2008 REAL Sportsfest which will be participated in by officers and staff of the various government entities in the Region.

PAG-IBIG Manager Flordelis Menzon who is the President of REAL, informed that the Sportsfest will kick-off on September 3, 2008, 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon at the Leyte Provincial Capitol Gym.

A Motorcade to herald the sportsfest and the Civil Service Month celebration will take off at the Capitol Grounds at 1:30 in the afternoon, NTC Director Samuel Young who is the sportsfest chairman, informed.

Director Young said that every government agency is requested to appoint a sports coordinator who will be in charge of the respective agency's participation and involvement in the 2008 REAL Sportsfest.

With regards the agencies with an insignificant number of employees, Director Young said that a maximum of four agencies may integrate for the purpose of participating in the various events in the team events for the Sportsfest.

The various events which will be played during the sportsfest are basketball for men and women; swimming for men and women; volleyball for men and women; chess; badminton men's doubles, women's doubled and mixed doubles; lawn tennis men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles; and table tennis men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles.

For the swimming event, Dr. Lucrecio Calo, REAL Sports consultant, is offering free swimming lessons at the San Gerardo Heights from 4:00 o'clock to 6:00 o'clock in the afternoon. An entrance fee of P60.00 however, will be collected for every session attended.

Director Young disclosed that the chess event will start earlier on August 20, from 3:00 o'clock to 5:00 o'clock in the afternoon at the NTC Function Hall. Chess matches will be conducted Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only, Director Young said.

Manager Menzon expressed his call on all agency heads to issue an Office Order that would in effect allow the concerned employees to practice for the games and to actually participate on official time in the entire duration of the sportsfest.

This is to encourage the employees to cooperate freely unhampered by the fear of losing his or her leave credits while the sports fest is being conducted. The same is pursuant to the provisions of Administrative Order No. 64, s.93 adopting the National Policy of Sports Fest for All and CSC Memorandum Circular No. 38, s.1992 on Physical and Mental Fitness Program for Government Personnel.