• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Department of Education Division of Bacolod and the city government will kick off Saturday morning, Jan. 25, the Palarong Panlungsod 2025, with young athletes set to compete in 18 sports disciplines.
The city allotted P10.9 million in financial assistance to DepEd Bacolod for the holding of the sports competition, with the opening ceremony set 7 a.m., Jan. 25, at the Bacolod Government Center grounds.
The city Public Information Office said 13- and 17-year-old athletes will compete in archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, basketball 3×3, basketball 5×5, beach volleyball, billiards, chess, cycling, football, futsal, karatedo, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, and volleyball.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez earlier said the sporting event targets to nurture the city’s next champions. “Palarong Panlungsod 2025 is a celebration of our youth’s talent, discipline, and determination. With 18 exciting sports, this event is more than just a competition; it’s a platform to inspire excellence and foster camaraderie among our young athletes.”
Benitez and champion hurdler Mico Villaran, one of the most bemedaled athletes in last year’s Palarong Pambansa in Cebu, will lead the torch-lighting ceremony during the opening program Saturday morning that is also expected to be attended by city officials, the DepEd Bacolod officers, led by OIC schools’ division superintendent Dennis Develos, heads and teachers of various schools, and participating athletes and coaching staff, among others. | CGC
