The Negros elementary and secondary athletics teams aim to bring home three team crowns in the sport during the Western Visayas Regional Athletics Association Meet from March 16 to 20 in Roxas City, Capiz, an official of the Negros delegation said yesterday.

"We are really concentrating on athletics. We are aiming to win three of the four team titles at stake in athletics, but we would welcome a sweep with open arms," Manuel De Oro, officer-in-charge of the Negros Occidental Provincial Sports and Development Office, said.

The athletics competitions in the regional meet will stake team championships in the boys and girls' divisions of the elementary and secondary levels.

De Oro, who also spearheads the training staff of the Negros athletics squads, said he is also maximizing the skills of the coaches and trainers so they can fully prepare the athletes for the school-based hostilities.

Area IV, bannered by standouts from La Carlota City, Pulupandan, Bago City, San Enrique and Valladolid, snared the team athletics crowns in the secondary boys and girls' and elementary girls' in the Palarong Panlalawigan in Bacolod City in December last year. Area IV also won the overall honors in the elementary and secondary categories.

Area I, powered by Palaro newcomer Jesrael Bayotas of Escalante City, topped the elementary boys' category in the Palarong Panlalawigan.

De Oro said that Capiz, with the performances of its athletes in the Regional PRISAA Games where it topped the women's category, will be the darkhorse in the regional meet.

"What used to be a rivalry between Iloilo and Negros will now be a three-way battle for the overall championship involving Capiz," he said.

Negros took the overall title of the secondary division in Iloilo City last year after hauling 90 golds, 60 silvers and 22 bronzes, while the Ilonggos reigned supreme in the elementary category.

Meanwhile, De Oro said they are discussing with the Provincial Government on how to settle the unpaid bills of the Paglaum Sports Complex, one of two training facilities of the athletes. *CIT

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