By JEN BAYLON

Negros Occidental will hand over the hosting duties for the inaugural Negros Island Regional Athletic Association (NIRAA) Meet to either Negros Oriental, particularly Dumaguete City, or Siquijor next year.

This announcement was made by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson during his congratulatory remarks to the student-athletes from Negros Occidental, who recently participated in the 2025 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet in Antique.

Lacson said hosting NIRAA in Dumaguete or Siquijor would provide an opportunity for athletes to explore new locations and experience different regional attractions.

He expressed optimism about the collaboration between athletes from both provinces, emphasizing the importance of fostering regional unity in sports.

The governor’s vision for the NIRAA Meet aligns with his commitment to enhancing the performance of local athletes and providing them with broader exposure.

Meanwhile, Lacson expressed satisfaction with the performance of Negrense athletes during the WVRAA Meet, despite the province not securing the overall championship title.

Lacson highlighted that Negros Occidental excelled in the elementary division, marking a significant improvement compared to the previous year.

The governor acknowledged that, while some sports, such as wrestling, did not yield favorable results for Negrense athletes, the provincial government is evaluating future participation in these categories.

The governor assured that incentives would be awarded to athletes who won medals at WVRAA 2025, although specific amounts have yet to be disclosed.

He also commended the overall champion, Iloilo province, for their remarkable achievements in both the secondary and paragames divisions.

Lacson expressed confidence that Negrense athletes would clinch the championship title in this upcoming competition./JB, WDJ