By Mike Crismundo BUTUAN CITY – “Yes we are ready to use this sports complex.” (Photos courtesy of DPWH 13/Manila Bulletin) This was declared by Surigao del Norte Gov. Francisco T. Matugas with the recent completion of the state-of-the art Siargao Island Sports Complex situated in Barangay Osmeña in Dapa town, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte province. The provincial government of Surigao del Norte is set to host the 7,000 athletes coming from the five provinces and six cities in Northeastern Mindanao or Caraga region during the upcoming 2020 Caraga Regional Athletic Meet (CRAM 2020), on March 7 to 15, this year. “This will be the first time that Siargao Island will host the regional athletic meet and this is also the first time that athletes from the five provinces and six cities in Caraga region will cross the sea to attend this region’s big athletic meet,” Gov. Matuga said. He added that series of coordination meetings will take place next month, where concerned government agencies, particularly the DepEd, together with the provincial government of Surigao del Norte, the Office of 1st District Rep. Francisco Jose “Bingo” F. Matugas ll, and the LGUs are participating in line with the ongoing preparations for the sporting event. President Duterte has been invited as guest of honor for the opening ceremony of 2020 CRAM on March 7. Meanwhile, in his official report to DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar, Regional Director Pol M. Delos Santos of Caraga DPWH 13 said the P200-million sports complex was already finished and ready for use for any major sporting event. This new Siargao Island Sports Complex has a total land area of 63,157 square meters. It houses the oval with two grandstands that also serve as multi-purpose buildings, as well as basketball, volleyball and badminton courts with rubberized floorings. “It has also a two-unit dormitory ready for use of officials or athletes during the sporting events,” Delos Santos said. “These dormitories are also designed to serve as two-storey six classroom multi-purpose buildings,” he said. He said the brand new sports complex will also serve as an additional tourist attraction in Siargao Island which is now considered a top destination in the country and one of the best in the world. Siargao Island is hosting two world major events annually – the World Surfing Cup and International Game Fishing Tournament wherein best surfers and anglers in the different parts of the world are continuously participating. The entire building is fully air-conditioned with a specially-designed ventilating system to cool down the big number of spectators who will sit on the surrounding bleachers.