The Negros Occidental provincial government vowed to continue upgrading the Panaad Park and Sports Stadium in Bacolod City to make it a primary training venue for Negrense athletes.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz gave this assurance Monday, August 7, despite the province’s losing its bid to host the 2024 Palarong Pambansa.
“We cannot question the wisdom behind the decision,” he said, adding that as “the governor mentioned there’s no time to feel sorry, we just have to wait for our turn.”
The province lost its bid to Cebu City that was announced during the closing ceremony of this year’s national games on Saturday.
Diaz said that the governor still wants to continue the upgrade of Panaad as it is his vision to make it a primary training area for athletes of Negros Occidental.
Among the facilities Diaz cited for upgrading are the swimming pool area, basketball area, and the Panaad field as the province aims to make them at par with international standards.
“With this, we have more time to prepare and improve ourselves internally in terms of our sports program… we are gearing up for a more competitive Negros Occidental team in all major sports we can compete in,” he said.
While the facilities are being upgraded, Diaz said that the province is also eyeing an athletes’ village in the subdivision beside the Panaad Stadium as various personalities from the private sector have already pledged to support this program of the governor.
He also urged the Negrense athletes to keep on training as the provincial government will give them the right people to help them in elevating their skills to rake in more medals for the province.*