NAGT PREPARES LAPU-LAPU FOR THE BIG LEAGUES
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2011/03/10/nagt-prepares-lapu-lapu-big-leagues-144077BEFORE Lapu-Lapu hosts an international triathlon competition later this year, it will first play host to a national tournament— The Speedo National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT)—on April 3 at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.
“The Speedo NAGT is also a great help for us to prepare for this December’s Lapu-Lapu Tri 113,” said Lapu-Lapu Councilor and sports and tourism chairman Harry Radaza. He said several world champion triathletes will be invited to compete the Lapu Tri 113.
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Radaza added the Lapu Tri will be one of the biggest sporting events the city will be initiating after the Great Lapu-Lapu run on April 17.
This year, the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (Trap), the national sports association for triathlon and organizer of the NAGT series, will focus on triathletes in the mini-sprint distances (350m swim, 16K bike, 3.3K run) for athletes aged 13 to 15 years old. Trap hopes to find athletes who will represent the country in the second Asian Youth Games set in Nanjing, China in 2013 where triathlon will make its debut.
“For the past years, we only had a junior division but if there is request and a need to put a division especially for the 13 to15 age group, then we will add one,” Trap executive director Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez said.
This will be the second time Lapu-Lapu City and Plantation Bay Resort and Spa will be co-hosting the event.
Lapu-Lapu City is becoming more focused in promoting the city’s sports tourism after successfully hosting the Davis Cup Asia Oceana Group 1 tie.
“This will be the second year that City and Plantation Bay has hosted the NAGT. This year we are focusing more on promoting the sports tourism of the city,” said Radaza.
The Speedo NAGT series started its first leg in February in Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, which attracted 237 triathletes. The other legs will be in Davao on March 13, Cagayan De Oro City on Aug. 6, Ayala Alabang on Oct. 16, and Los Baños, Laguna on Dec. 10.
The NAGT is Trap’s leading talent identification program. The athlete who figures dominantly in the six legs gets a chance to get a slot to the national training pool.
The registration forms for the Cebu leg are available in Speedo outlets in Ayala Center Cebu and SM City.
