The Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) was established on February 17, 1953, at the initiative of Dr. Manuel Carreon, then Director of the Bureau of Private Schools. His vision was to unite private educational institutions across the Philippines through the spirit of sportsmanship and academic excellence.

The inaugural PRISAA Meet took place from March 8-10, 1953, at the iconic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila. Athletes from various regions competed in a wide array of sporting events, including:

Basketball	Softball
Chess	Swimming
Cycling	Table Tennis
Football	Track-and-Field
Gymnastics	Volleyball
Lawn Tennis

These events were officially recognized by the Southeast Asian Games and the Olympic Federation, underscoring the high standards of the competition from its very inception.

A Tradition of National Unity

From 1956 onward, PRISAA Annual Meets were hosted in various cities and provinces, fostering a sense of national unity and camaraderie. A significant milestone was the fifth PRISAA Annual Meet, held from February 15-21, 1959, in Naga City, Camarines Norte. Hosted by the University of Nueva Caceres, this meet was led by Dr. Dolores H. Sison, the first female President of the PRISAA Board of Governors. The last of these annual meets was held in 1972 at the PAGLAUM Sports Complex in Bacolod City.

A Period of Hiatus and a Triumphant Return

In 1973, PRISAA Annual Meets were temporarily suspended to explore the integration of sports competitions for public and private schools, as well as out-of-school youth.

Despite this pause, the legacy of PRISAA endured. It had become a source of immense pride for students, faculty, and the public. The association was instrumental in developing several outstanding athletes who went on to represent the Philippines in international competitions. Among these luminaries were:

• Josephine dela Viña of Cebu, a celebrated shot put and discus throw athlete.
• Mona Sulaiman of Mindanao, a renowned sprinter.
• Rogelio Onofre of Pangasinan, a prolific sprinter.

On July 2, 1990, a pivotal meeting was held at Centro Escolar University (CEU) to revive PRISAA. This effort was championed by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), under the leadership of Chairman Cecilio G. Hechanova with the assistance of Commissioner Anthony R. Nicanor. On that same day, Dr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles was elected as the National President for the 1990-1991 school year.

Following this, the revival of PRISAA gained momentum across the country, with regional elections taking place in August and September of 1990. A significant boost came on September 13, 1990, when then-Education Secretary Isidro D. Cariño issued DECS Order No. 104, directing all DECS Regional Directors and heads of private schools, colleges, and universities to actively organize and revive PRISAA in their respective areas.

Navigating Challenges and Ensuring Continuity

Since its revival, PRISAA has consistently held provincial, city, and regional meets to identify the champions who will compete at the Annual National Games.

However, the journey was not without its challenges, particularly in terms of funding and financial support. To address this, the PRISAA National Board of Trustees approved a new scheme in the year 2000. This new model based PRISAA accreditation on school membership, ensuring a more sustainable future for the association. The board also mandated that only duly accredited member-schools could participate in PRISAA competitions and collect PRISAA fees from students. These fees were to be used exclusively for PRISAA-approved programs, activities, and competitions.

Starting with the 2000-01 school year, PRISAA competitions have been successfully held at various levels, from provincial and city meets to regional and area meets, all culminating in the highly anticipated national games.