After securing Negros Occidental's third straight regional Palaro sweep, the athletes and coaches who provided the crucial victories received a post-Easter treat yesterday when they received incentives amounting to P438,000 from the Provincial Government.

In an awarding ceremony that also turned out to be a reunion of sorts for the Negros Palaro delegation in Antique, Gov. Isidro Zayco and Vice Gov. Emilio Yulo III extolled the athletes for dedicating their triumph to the late Gov. Joseph Maranon, who died March 13, a day before the regional meet was to start.

Yulo challenged the athletes to strive harder in the Palarong Pambansa, where Negrense athletes have established a reputation as a powerhouse squad.

Yulo also hopes that this year's batch of athletes, together with their Iloilo teammates, would finally earn for Western Visayas the overall Palaro title, which has eluded the region for the past six years. The last time region 6 won was in Naga City in 2002.

The Palarong Pambansa is scheduled on the third week of April in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Yulo said he will start forming the Task Force Palaro, which will oversee the training and logistical concerns of the athletes and coaches during the Palaro.

The Task Force will also try to resolve concerns, especially the billeting areas of the delegation to help ensure that the athletes will be at their best when they compete, he said.

Yulo pointed out that in Naga City two years ago, the Western Visayas delegation was housed 15 kilometers away from the main venue. Last year in Koronadal, Yulo said, the athletes had to travel for an hour before reaching the main stadium.

"We will thresh out minor concerns that will have a direct effect on the performance of our athletes," the vice governor added.

University of St. La Salle tanker Joshua Balinas, who came home with seven gold medals to emerge as the Palaro's most bemedalled athlete, received P5,600 for his efforts.

High school swimmers Kiefer Piccio of Bacolod Christian Center of Negros and Krestia Angela Lacson were given P5,000 each for coming up with five golds and two silvers.

Also among the big winners was elementary gymnast Fran Marese Convite of West Negros College, who got P4,000, and Bacolod City National High School sprinter Ana Marie Jagocoy, who received P3,400. Badminton player Nikki Servando of Trinity Christian School also got P2,400 for winning in the singles, mixed doubles and in team play.*CPT

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