Benguet athletes got a big boost in their bid to improve its third over-all finish in the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association when it formally kicks off April 15 in Luna, Apayao.
Aside from the usual incentive form the provincial government, Cong. Eric Go Yap also vowed to double the cash reward of athletes who will gold, silver, and bronze medals during the weeklong competition for elementary and high school students.
Yap, during the send-off ceremony Saturday afternoon, April 13, at the Benguet National High School, assured athletes of additional P1,500 for gold medalists, P1,250 for silver and P1,000 for bronze medalists on top of the cash incentives they will receive from the province, which is the same amount under the provincial sports code.
“We know na hindi ganun kalaki yung pondo ng sports sa Benguet. Pero kami ni Gov. Melchor Diclas, natutulungan para madagdagan kung ano man yung kulang,” Yap told more than 700 athletes, coaches, and chaperons.
Benguet, for the longest time is a perennial runner – up to Baguio in the annual CARAA met, and is raring to bounce back after their lack luster performance in the past regional sports conclave.
“Our athletes will be 101 percent ready. Babawi ang Benguet,” said assistant schools division superintendent Samuel Egsaen during a press briefing in Apayao.
And with the aim of retaking the number two spot in the over-all rankings, Yap also pledged to double his cash incentives to the athletes if Benguet manages to secure a second-place finish in the overall standings of the CARAA.
“Kapag tayo ay second place sa CARAA, dodoblehin ko yung P1,500 na makukuha ng gold, P3,000 na, yung makakakuha ng silver, imbers an P1250, P2500 ay yung bronze imbes na P1,000, P2,000 na. Kaya dapat, magtulonh tulong tayo para maging number two tayo,” Yap added.
This promise serves as both a challenge and a rallying cry for the athletes to give their all in every event, knowing that their hard work could pay off in more ways than one.
Yap added with the additional incentives, he hopes to inspire athletes to aim higher and strive for excellence while his belief in the potential of Benguet athletes is palpable, and his investment in their success reflects a broader recognition of the positive impact of sports on communities. Roderick Osis
