Goal Focus, Target Locked 

| Grace Anne Barrios

Beads of sweat dripped down their foreheads as the familiar heat of the sunrise warmed the morning sky. The squeak of shoes on the court filled the air; no words exchanged, yet their movements flowed in perfect sync. It was the same grueling routine, day after day: training their bodies, honing their skills, aiming to become the best in their fields. But this time, their faces lit up with new energy, fueled by unprecedented support from the city.

Bacolod City's independent status under the newly established Negros Island Region (NIR) means it bypasses the Provincial Meet and advances directly to the regional level. This shift solidifies the city's commitment to sports development, from late 2025 initiatives to recent milestones like hosting the inaugural Negros Island Region Athletics Association (NIRAA) Meet in February under Mayor Greg Gasataya.

"For the first time, all our athletes in Bacolod City will automatically proceed to the regionals without going through the provincial meet. Its our way of showing full support for our sports programs,” Gasataya declared.

The city government has stepped up with complete training gear, playing uniforms, and athletic shoes. In another milestone, Bacolod athletes qualifying for the regionals received a daily allowance of P300 during their intensive 30-day training camp; this is the first time the local government has budgeted specifically for such athlete support. 

With the same pattern repeating day after day, the only change was this vital backing, making the athletes feel truly seen and valued. This surge in resources not only sharpens their edge but also builds unbreakable team spirit, positioning Bacolod's stars for podium finishes at regionals. As the city’s vision takes hold, Bacolod is breeding a new generation of champions, ready to put the city on the national map.