Free training for Ilonggo kids at Iloilo City Sports Academy

• Mayor Treñas started the Iloilo City Sports Academy as an avenue for Ilonggo kids to learn different sports and hone their talents and skills.

• The academy will also be a training ground for promising athletes who will represent the city in national tournaments.

Iloilo City Government is offering free sports training for children ages 5-15 years old through the Iloilo City Sports Academy.

Mayor Jerry Treñas initiated the program under the supervision of the Iloilo City Sports Development Division (ICSDD) to allow those who can’t afford to enroll in sports they want and improve their skills, and excel in their field of expertise, stay healthy, and gain from overall benefits of sports.

“This endeavor also serves as a training ground for promising athletes with the potential to be assessed if they can, later on, jump to national tournaments. The City Hall has tapped certified trainers and coaches to teach the children,” said Treñas. “Sige-sige ang ini nga aktibidades bilang suporta sa aton mga kabataan.”

Treñas directed Executive Assistant for Sports Rudiver Jungco, Sr. to organize the academy.

“Our aim is to have a pool of players to compete and to carry the name of our beloved city. We want to see progress of trainings,” Jungco said.

Aside from learning new skills and honing their talents, kids have the chance to meet new friends through team activities and exercises.

“We also want the teenagers’ attention to divert into sports and away from bad activities,” he added.

Parents appreciate the impact of the Iloilo City Sports Academy on their children. According to Ma’am Jovelica E. Espina, a parent of an athlete of the ICSA Arnis Team, the academy helped develop her child to become more responsible.

“Ang impact sa bata ko kay subong ga-engage siya sa arnis, may ara siya disiplina sa lawas niya. Nangin responsable siya kay siya gahikot sang iya mga gamit kag gabugtaw early. Damo siya na learn nga mga techniques nga gintudlo sa iya sang mga coaches niya.

As a parent, she is thankful for the program of the Iloilo City Government under the administration of Mayor Treñas for giving opportunities for kids to learn their chosen sport for free.

“Thank you Mayor for this program especially sa mga kabataan dako gid na bulig sa mga kubos nga mga bata nga gusto mag engage sa sports.”

Qualifications and Requirements

• 5-15 years old by his/her PSA Certificate, whether original or photocopy
• Must be a bona fide resident of Iloilo City certified by Brgy. Clearance
• Must be physically fit, with Medical Certificate issued by a Registered Physician.

An average of 70 enrollees in each sport category will be trained.

These include Volleyball, Badminton, Sepak Takraw, Arnis and Chess at YMCA Gym; Football at La Paz Plaza Football Field; Lawn Tennis at La Paz Plaza Tennis Court; Athletics at Jalandoni Memorial National High School, Lapuz; and Boxing and Wushu at Cage Boxing Gym, Brgy. San Rafael, Mandurriao.

City Hall has tapped certified trainers and coaches to teach the children.

For those interested to join the Iloilo City Sports Academy, you may inquire through ICSDD Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/iloilocitysports/), or at the YMCA of Iloilo Covered Court, please look for Mark; or you may visit Iloilo City Sports Development Division, 5th Floor, City Hall, Plaza Libertad, City Proper.