Published in the Sunstar Bacolod newspaper on Saturday, August 19, 2017　

THE 1st Talisay City Sports Development Summit was held on August 15 at the De la Rama Hall of Talisay City Hall in Negros Occidental.

Around 300 stakeholders from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the 27 villages of the city attended the event expected to pave the way for the revival of Talisay City sports.

Welcoming the participants are Councilors Gabriel Villacin and Rolin Meliton, and DepEd District Supervisor Romualdo Batallones.

Resource speakers were former Sports Commissioner Eric Loretizo; Ricky Santiago, a 6th Dan black belt taekwondo master and two-time Olympics referee; and former Azkal midfielder Chieffy Caligdong, head coach of Philippine U14 boys.

Meanwhile, Mayor Neil Lizares asked the participants to work harder for the revival of sports in Talisay as he vowed to fully support the development of selected sports.

He said that sports instill discipline in the youth and take them away from drug abuse.

“Today’s summit is an opportunity to plan together for the future of sports in Talisay. Let’s not put it into waste, but make it productive,” the mayor added.