• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Cong. Albee Sportsfest 2026 officially opened on May 9 with a festive ceremony attended by local officials and special guest Filipino-American professional basketball player Ray Parks Jr., marking the start of one of the biggest grassroots sports programs in Bacolod City.
About 22,000 athletes from 61 barangays in Bacolod City are participating in this year’s sportsfest, competing in basketball and volleyball across different age categories in a citywide effort to promote sports development at the grassroots level.
Held at the UNO-R Amphitheater, the grand opening gathered athletes, coaches, barangay leaders, and supporters in a celebration of sportsmanship, unity, and community pride.
The sportsfest aims to strengthen camaraderie, teamwork, discipline, and unity among Bacolodnons while giving athletes of all ages the opportunity to compete and represent their barangays.
“This is really our contribution to the development of sports at the grassroots level,” Deputy Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said, emphasizing the importance of making sports accessible and inclusive for every community.
Using his personal budget, Benitez also provided uniforms and prizes for participating athletes, with each barangay organized its own qualifying competitions leading up to the citywide tournament.
During the opening ceremony, Ray Parks Jr. led the oath of sportsmanship, inspiring participants to uphold fair play and unity throughout the competition.
Benitez said the sport activity was designed to be inclusive, with categories for different age groups to encourage wider participation and community involvement.*
