THE province of Negros Occidental led by Governor Eugenio Jose "Bong" Lacson alongside provincial administrator Atty. Reyfrando Diaz II received weightlifting equipment from Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) through its president, Monico Puentevella, on Friday, August 13, 2021.

“For sure we will make use of this equipment, and figure out who we should hire to guide our athletes,” said Lacson.

Provincial Sports Coordinator Anthony Carlo Agustin, on his part, felt happy and grateful that SWP donated this equipment to the province.

“This will be valuable to the vision of the province’s sports program as we strengthen our grassroots. We believe that the next Olympic gold medalist can come from any province that has enough support and capacity similar to what Governor Bong Lacson has given towards the program,” added Agustin.

Meanwhile, Puentevella confirmed that his association will be providing technical assistance like coaching seminar workshops for aspiring coaches in the province.

It was recalled that SWP’s bet Hidilyn Diaz of Zamboanga wrote history for Philippine sports when she finally won the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in Tokyo.

She also wound up the Philippines’ 20-year Olympic medal drought when she won the silver medal in the Rio Olympics in 2016.