• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Clad in orange, 902 Bacolod City Azadores delegates gathered today for a ceremonial send-off ahead of the upcoming Negros Island Region Athletic Association (NIRAA) meet set on March 1-7.
Each athlete and coach received a comprehensive support package, including a set of uniforms, shoes, a P10,500 training allowance, and an additional P2,000 which will be distributed during the start of the NIRAAM competition.
The delegates are set to compete against the best athletes from across the newly established Negros Island Region.
Bacolod Division School Sports Officer Lila Vaflor-Aro said that they are aiming for more than 50 percent win from the total number of athletes.
Of the total delegates, 626 were composed of athletes while the 276 were coaches and team managers.
Mayor Greg Gasataya emphasized the city’s 100 percent commitment to sports development, expressing his hope that Bacolod will continue to produce world-class athletes and future Olympians.
Bacolod City has allocated a total of P30 million budget for the athletes and another P24 million for the hosting.
In related news, the city plans to break ground on a new football pitch with artificial turf behind Bacolod City National High School during the first week of March.*
