THE sports program of Cebu Province will get a major boost with the construction of the P20-million Cebu Provincial Sports Complex in Sudlon, Lahug.

Cebu Provincial Governor Hilario Davide III, Cebu Provincial Sports Commission (CPSC) executive director Atty. Ramil Abing and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Ramon Fernandez led the groundbreaking of the multipurpose gym yesterday.

“This is dedicated to the athletes. I feel that we need a place or facility for them to train and play their sports. This facility can also be used for the Provincial Government sportsfest,” Davide told reporters in an interview. “We look forward on completion of the project. I’m sure a lot of people from the province will be happy with this sports complex.”

Abing, who has been hands-on in various sporting meets for Cebu Province athletes, said that the sports complex is scheduled to be completed in March and will soon be a vital venue for the grassroots development program of CPSC.

“The target date of completion is March 11. Maybe we can have an inaugural event by March. Actually, the construction started last week,” he said.

Legendary PBA cager Fernandez said the construction of the complex will help improve the performance of the athletes from the province.

“I’m very happy for athletes. That is coming from me who was an athlete before. Finally, the Cebu Province athletes can have a place they can call their own,” said Fernandez. “Cebu Province has been improving in the various sporting meets. Hopefully the progress can continue especially now with this new facility.”

Cebu Province made some impact in the various national sporting meet this year. It finished at fifth overall in the Philippine National Games with a 19-20-30 gold-silver-bronze medal tally in Cebu City last summer and sixth overall in the Batang Pinoy National Championships with a 24-10-21 medal haul in Baguio City last month.

Davide said the gym can be an incoming-generating venue for the province since they will allow rental for private use. (ML)