This city is set to hold a victory party for its athletes on Saturday for retaining the overall championship in the recently concluded Region 1 Athletic Association (R1AA) meet in Bacnotan, La Union.
The city’s 507 athletes bagged 82 gold, 85 silver and 56 bronze medals in the multi-event competition.
“This is a proof that a small division like hours can be better or even more excellent than big ones,” Laoag City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Joanne Corpuz said in a statement on Tuesday.
She attributed the success of the city’s athletes to the full support of the city government, as well as the coaches, local and national trainers, and other stakeholders and benefactors.
Laoag was the best performing delegation in arnis, gymnastics, taekwondo, wushu, wrestling, pencak silat, and boxing in this year’s R1AA.
Hipolito Salva, city sports development officer, said “hard work, commitment, and focus” were the secret weapons behind the success.
The victory party will be held at 6 p.m. at the Ilocos Norte National High School gymnasium.
To improve the performance of local athletes, the city government earlier said it has allotted around PHP15 million for the establishment of a track field and other sports facilities.
The budget also covers the creation of the Laoag City Sports Development Council for the 15 clustered villages, to be led by sports coordinators from the Department of Education Schools Division.
To date, the athletes are gearing up again for the Palarong Pambansa tournament to be held in Ilocos Norte in May. (PNA)