ILOILO – The provincial government is exploring possibilities to establish a sports academy and training center to hone the skills of potential Ilonggo athletes.
Provincial Board member Matt Palabrica of the third District, with officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) –Iloilo and the Commission on Higher Education, among others, recently convened for the proposal.
“Upon consultation, we have planned to have a consortium with different state universities and colleges to accommodate our athletes for them to be trained by our academy and at the same time, they can attend school so as their ambition to become professionals will not be hampered,” he said.
Palabrica said Iloilo is home to potential athletes in track and field, javelin throw, long jump, and high jump, among others.
The academy aims to recruit athletes from high school and the tertiary level as Palabrica said Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. wanted home-grown athletes to improve through the help of the province.
The sports academy and training center is being considered to be located at the Iloilo Sports Complex in this city’s La Paz District.
The rooms, track oval and other facilities for sports are readily available at the Iloilo Sports Complex. “We just need manpower and maybe other materials,” Palabrica said, as the province needs to hire coaches and sports experts to man the academy.
The province will provide the athletes with allowance, free board and lodging, educational assistance, book, and uniform allowance, among others.
The Iloilo Sports Academy and Training Center is eyed to operate by 2021.
Iloilo has produced various sports icons, such as basketball players Kris Ann Pingol of Pototan, Ronald Tubid of Oton, and Danny Basilan of Passi City; volleyball player Lutrel Bugna of Pavia; and high jump queen Alexi Mae Caimoso of the Iloilo National High School. (With a report from PNA PN)
