Bacolod athletes skip provincial meet, eye NIRAA 2026

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya announced a historic first for Bacolod sports as the city’s athletes will no longer pass through the provincial meet and will instead advance directly to the regional level under the newly established Negros Island Region.

The mayor made the announcement during the opening of the 2025 Division Athletic Association Meet on December 1 at the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos amphitheater.

The ceremony was attended by 2,978 delegates, including athletes, coaches, and technical officials from public schools across the city.

Gasataya also confirmed that Bacolod will host the first-ever Negros Island Region Athletics Association Meet in February 2026.

He said the hosting is a major milestone that strengthens the city’s long-term sports development agenda.

“For the first time, all our athletes from Bacolod City will automatically proceed to the regionals and will no longer undergo the provincial meet. This is the city’s way of showing full support to our sports programs,” the mayor said.

To bolster Bacolod’s regional campaign, the city government unveiled a comprehensive support program for the 902 athletes who will make up the NIRAA delegation.

The package will include complete training gear, uniforms, and athletic shoes for all qualified athletes.

Another first for Bacolod is the grant of a PHP 300 daily allowance to athletes who qualify for the regional meet during their 30-day intensive training.

This is the first time the local government unit has allocated a dedicated budget for athlete allowances.

“We have to give our best. That’s why the city will support you in every way we can so that Bacolod City will someday produce the next Olympic gold medalist,” Gasataya said.

He emphasized that the administration’s strategy focuses on both grassroots sports development and sports tourism.

The city is also proposing to the Philippine Sports Commission the designation of Bacolod as the Regional Training Center for gymnastics and archery.

Officials said the proposal forms part of Bacolod’s long-term push for sports excellence and higher-level competition exposure.

Running from December 1 to 5, this year’s Division Athletic Association Meet serves as the selection tournament for Bacolod’s regional delegation.

The meet features 29 sporting events with participants from eight elementary districts and five secondary units.

Key officials present at the opening were Carmeli Bantug-Zayco, representing Lone District Rep. Albee Benitez; Councilor Jason Villarosa, Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee Chair on Youth and Sports; and Department of Education leaders.

As Bacolod prepares to host the NIRAA in 2026, this week’s Division Meet not only showcases homegrown talent but also signals the city’s emergence as a growing sports tourism hub for the Negros Island Region.