Mayor John Dalipe keynoted the kick off ceremony for the 25th Learn to Play a Sports Program at the City Coliseum in Tetuan, Saturday, July 2, as he assured his all out support to the city’s sports development program not only to continue producing quality athletes but to prevent substance use problems among youth.

The young mayor lauded the conduct of the Basic Sports Camp stressing that most if not all athletes who won medals in national and international sports competitions are products of the Learn to Play a Sports Program.

Over the years, Zamboanga City has been producing world class athletes putting the name of Zamboanga City in the sports map, he said.

Returning after 2 years since the pandemic, the summer sports program caters 1,400 young athletes who have signed up for the offered individual and dual sports disciplines of Archery, Arnis, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Chess, Dancesports, Gymnastics, Karatedo, Pencak Silat, Sepaktakraw, Swimming, Table tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Weightlifting, Wushu and E-One 7.

Facilitated by the City Sports Division under the Office of the Mayor, the program will run until the end of the month.

Also present during the opening ceremony Saturday morning were the new members of the City Council (2022-2025) Councilors Jerome Santos, Jimmy Villaflores, Al Jihan Edding, Vino Guingona, Fred Atilano and Carrie Pioc and City Sports Division Chief Dr. Cecil Atilano, among others. (photo credits: Eugene Elnar)