WEIGHTLIFTING in Cebu is set to get a major boost after a group of former lifters have expressed their intention to get involved in the sport again as coaches.
“Apparently they had a reunion recently and one of the things they discussed was they want to help the sport in Cebu,” said Cebu Weightlifting Association president Felix Tiukinhoy. “A lot of them still have that passion for the sport and they want to help coach.”
Tiukinhoy is set to meet with some members of the group at 2 p.m. this Saturday to discuss their involvement.
“Most of them are from USJ-R since the school had a strong weightlifting program before,” he said.
Aside from meeting with the former lifters, Tiukinhoy is also set to visit the Sisters of Mary School Boystown in Minglanilla this Saturday to inspect the site for their weightlifting program.
“The sisters have already identified a place, we will just provide the materials. If there are things that need to be done, like welding, the students can do it since it’s part of their studies,” said Tiukinhoy.
Tiukinhoy added that he expected the sport to see an increase in participants because of the growing interest from the students.
“UC, USC and Ateneo already have weightlifting facilities. USPF is looking for a place, USJ-R is also looking for a place for their facility, while UV is also interested in putting up a program,” said Tiukinhoy, who is also the commissioner of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi).
Cesafi decided to add weightlifting to its roster of events starting this year.
“We are the only school association in the country that included weightlifting,” said Tiukinhoy. “I see the students taking up the sport because they can see a direction already.”
Tiukinhoy said interest in the sport dipped before since there were no national tournaments. However, Hidilyn Diaz’s success in Rio and in the last Asian Games has increased awareness of the sport.
“She (Diaz) is also a benefactor. She recently contributed a certain amount for Cebu,” said Tiukinhoy. (ML)