Mayor John Dalipe Monday, July 31, leads recognition rites for Zamboangueño athletes who hauled medals in recently concluded National Weightlifting Championships held in Bacolod City from July 10-16 and the 2023 Kadagayaan Festival Inter-Club Invitational Swim Meet held at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex June 22-26.
Also awarded with certificates of recognition during the flag raising ceremony in City Hall Monday were members of the technical staff led by National PRISAA Executive Director for Technical Operations Prof. Elbert “Bong” Atilano Sr. and the local organizing committee for their dedication and hard work that ensured the successful conduct of the 2023 National PRISAA Games in the city from July 13-19.
Mayor Dalipe commended the athletes and coaches for bringing honor and for representing the city in the said competitions. He said the continuous triumph of young athletes seals the city’s position in the sports map as the leader in the implementation of grassroots sports program and the breeding ground for top-caliber athletes.
Honored during the flag raising ceremony in City Hall were the ZC Weightlifting team that bagged 19 gold, 26 silver and 12 bronze medals during the competition and the Swimming delegation that hauled 35 gold, 29 silver and 22 bronze medals.
The weightlifting team was also given the following awards: Champion – Girls – Youth Division; 1st Runner Up – Secondary Division; Champion – Women- Junior D; Champion- Women- Open D; Champion – Women – Collegiate D; Champion – Boys – Youth D; Champion – Boys- Secondary D and Champion – Men-s – Junior D.
The swimming team, with its coaches Rene Sta. Teresa and Lucelle Harvey, also garnered additional titles: 2nd runner up, biggest delegation and Most Outstanding Swimmer 16 and over – Imee Saavedra.
Joining the mayor during the recognition rites were City Sports Director Dr. Cecil Atilano and staff. (Sheila Covarrubias)