Former Pool Champions, 4,000 Athletes Join MassKaralympics

BACOLOD CITY – Former world pool champions Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante are set to compete in the 3rd Mayor Albee Benitez MassKara 10-ball Open Billiard Tournament at Ayala Malls Capitol Central Activity Center from October 21-25.

“The Magician” Reyes and Bustamante will be among 4,000 athletes competing across 18 sporting events during the 3rd MassKaralympics, part of the 45th MassKara Festival celebration.

Both pool legends will participate in the singles matches. The MassKaralympics kicks off with badminton matches at the Pohang Badminton Center and Lopue’s South Square from October 4-6, starting at 7:30 a.m.

Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez is expected to lead the tee-off for the golf tournament at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club from October 10-13.

Runners, cyclists, and Zumba enthusiasts will test their limits in the MassKaRun, Bike, and Zumba events on the festival’s opening day at the Bacolod City Government Center on October 12, starting at 5 a.m.

A visiting Singaporean team will compete against the country’s top tchoukball clubs at the BCC Activity Center from October 18-20. Meanwhile, national paddlers will compete in the table tennis tournament at Ayala Malls Capitol Central from October 13-15.

Cagers from various barangays will face off at the Brgy. Villamonte Gym in the 1st Mayor Albee Benitez 3-on-3 Inter-Barangay Tournament.

“This year is more exciting. We have more games, and we’ve added new sports like pickleball, 3×3 basketball, e-sports, darts, and frisbee,” said Jose David Diaz, MassKaralympics 2024 Sports Head.

The 3-on-3 basketball event, along with the MassKara Frisbee Cup, National Pickleball Tournament, E-sports, and Darts Tournament, will debut at this year’s MassKaralympics from October 12-25, featuring over 200 competitors.

The 17-under beach volleyball competitions are scheduled for October 12-13 and October 19-20, while the open category matches will be held from October 21-24, all at the USLS Sandbox. Meanwhile, the MassKara Volleyball Cup will take place at Montalbo’s Gym from October 18-21, starting at 8 a.m.

Football clubs will compete at the Panaad Park and Stadium pitch and La Provincia Open Field on October 19-20, starting at 7 a.m.

The Rhythmic Gymnastics National Invitationals are set for October 13-15 at the BCC Activity Center. Swimming events will take place at the St. John’s Institute Sports Pavilion from October 19-20, while the chess tournament will be held at 888 Chinatown Square Bacolod from October 17-20.

These events are the only ones officially sanctioned by the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation, according to David Diaz, coordinator for the 3rd MassKaralympics.

“This will be an action-packed MassKaralympics this October, and we look forward to bringing more fun and excitement to this year’s MassKara Festival celebration,” Diaz added.