By ADRIAN STEWART CO

In a bold move to revive its sports legacy and cultivate future champions, Bago City Mayor Marina Mayette Javellana Yao has partnered with Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo to craft a comprehensive sports development program for the city.

Among the key highlights discussed is the establishment of a boxing facility in Barangay Ma-ao, aimed at bringing back Bago’s “glory days” in Philippine boxing.

The city, known for producing elite boxers in the past, hopes the new facility will help nurture the next generation of pugilists.

“We already have initial plans for a boxing facility in Ma-ao, so we can bring back our glory days in Philippine boxing,” Yao said in a statement.

“And what a blessing that I got to share this with Mr. Jose Montalbo — the man behind the Tay Tung Thunderbolts’ remarkable journey in volleyball,” she added.

Montalbo, a passionate sports advocate, quickly expressed enthusiasm for the vision as he proposed an expansion of the initiative to include other disciplines, such as athletics, volleyball, basketball, football, arnis, futsal, badminton, softball, and swimming.

“He was suddenly in passionate sportsman mode, thinking of how we could design a well-rounded sports development program for Bago,” Yao said.

“The excitement in his eyes was inspiring,” she added.

To further energize the city’s young athletes, Yao extended an invitation to the Thunderbolts to play in an exhibition match against Bago’s top volleyball players, hoping the event would inspire more youth to commit to the city’s growing volleyball program.

“We’re praying that he will truly support us in realizing our dream of a strong sports program for Bago,” Yao added.

“Exciting days are definitely ahead for Bago sports. The Lord be praised!”

With renewed collaboration and leadership, Bago City is positioning itself to become a regional hub for sports excellence — laying down a clear path toward athletic growth, youth empowerment and community pride./ASC, WDJ