DAGUPAN City will be the venue of the swimming competition in the Region 1 Athletic Association (R1AA) meet set in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, from February 11 to 16.
Finnela Sim, Dagupan City sports commissioner, said Alaminos City has no Olympic-size swimming pool -- the reason R1AA has chosen Dagupan as venue of the swimming event.
Dagupan City has an Olympic-size swimming pool used in the Palarong Pambansa in 1995 and in 2016.
Sim said Dagupan Mayor Belen Fernandez earlier ordered the renovation of the Dagupan City pool site not only for the 2018 R1AA meet but also for the training of all Dagupan swimmers year-round.
Aside from this, the mayor built numerous covered courts that are now serving as training venues for Dagupan athletes, the sports official added.
Sim said Dagupan athletes are now training in various events in preparation for the sports competition.
Dagupan City is first runner-up in the R1AA for the last two years, trailing Pangasinan.
Prior to these years, however, the city did not figure among the top competing delegations.
Fernandez said the Dagupan athletes will try their best to bring home the championship this year.
She said the City Government provided sports gears and uniforms, aside from the promise of financial incentives if they win gold, silver and bronze medals. (PNA)