BACOLOD City — Marking a major milestone in its growing sports development efforts, Bacolod City is set to host the first-ever Negros Island Region Athletics Association (NIRAA) Meet in February 2026.
This historic hosting places Bacolod at the forefront of regional athletic advancement, bringing together young athletes from across the newly formed Negros Island Region (NIR) for a premier competitive event.
The inaugural NIRAA follows the creation of Republic Act No. 12000, or the “NIR Act,” signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on June 13, 2024. The law established the NIR as a distinct administrative region composed of Negros Occidental (including Bacolod City), Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
Mayor Greg Gasataya formally announced Bacolod’s hosting duties during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Division Athletic Association Meet held last week at the University Amphitheater of the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos (UNO-R). The ceremony gathered 2,978 delegates, including athletes, coaches, and technical officials.
For the first time in history, Bacolod Division athletes will bypass the Provincial Meet and directly advance to the regional level, a development that solidifies the city’s independent standing under the newly established region.
“For the first time, all our athletes in Bacolod City will automatically proceed to the regionals and will not go through the provincial meet, as the city’s way of supporting our sports programs,” Mayor Gasataya said.
To strengthen the city’s push for regional excellence, the mayor also unveiled a comprehensive support package for the 902 athletes who will comprise Bacolod’s delegation to the NIRAA. The city government has committed to providing complete training gear, playing uniforms, and athletic shoes.
The 2025 Division Athletic Association Meet, held from December 1 to 5, served as the primary selection tournament for Bacolod’s regional delegation. This year’s meet featured competitions in 29 sporting events, with participants from eight elementary districts and five secondary-level units.
In another first, Bacolod athletes who qualify for the regional meet will receive a daily allowance of ₱300 during their intensive 30-day training period — the first time the local government has allocated a specific budget for athlete allowances.
“We have to give our best. That is why the city will support you in any way that we can, as much as we can, to ensure that Bacolod City will be the home of the next Olympic gold medalist,” Mayor Gasataya said, emphasizing the city’s focus on grassroots sports development and sports tourism.
Meanwhile, the city has proposed to the Philippine Sports Commission the designation of Bacolod as the Regional Training Center for Gymnastics and Archery, in line with its long-term vision for sustained sports excellence./PN
