Published in the Negros Daily Bulletin newspaper on August 10, 2016

Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares, during the courtesy visit of city-based taekwondo players who won medals in the recently-concluded 40th Smart National Taekwondo Championships, stressed that his administration will revive the Administered Training Leading to the Empowerment of Talisay Athletes (ATLETA) program – which was among the priorities of the late Mayor Antonio Lizares.

Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares with taekwondo medalists Charles Justine Abellar and Via Veronica Trocio alongside NTU-Talisay Eagles head coach Joshua (3rd from left). Also present during the courtesy visit are the athlete’s parents and multi-awarded player Marcus Hinojas (3rd from right).* (SCOOP-Bacolod Photo)

This sports program has able to develop top athletes from the city –who donned Negros Occidental’s colors in many Palarong Pambansa as well as national and international tournaments. Moreover, it also opened door to out-of-school youth to finish school and earned diplomas after finishing their education.

“My administration is seriously looking at reviving the ATLETA program next year. As of now, we are implementing government programs based on the 2016 approved budget. Just a little patience as 2017 is only 4 months to go,” he said.

Lizares also added that they will rehabilitate the city’s sports facilities as sports is an avenue for young kids to earn better career in the future. “Renovating our city’s facilities needs funds but it will help develop our sports tourism.”

With ATLETA’s revival, Lizares told Negros Taekwondo Union (NTU) Talisay Eagles Joshua Telequido to begin his journey in identifying and molding potential city-based taekwondo players.

It was recalled that Telequido recent national medalists Charles Justine Abellar and Via Veronica Trocio of Colegio de San Nicolas de Tolentino – who fought for bantamweight and finweight in the Cadet Girls Advance divisions, respectively.

Telquido also served as mentor of multi-awarded player and NTU mainstay Marcus Hinojas when he won the gold medal in the 2015 Smart National Inter-School Taekwondo Championships and the 2016 CPJ Cup National Taekwondo Championships.

Hinojas is a 3-time Smart Nationals Champion and a 2-time National Inter-School champion, and a 2012 Nationals Best Player awardee. In 2013, he also captured the gold medal in the Chicago Taekwondo Open Championship and was named 2014 One Bacolod ambassador for sports.

“It would be a big challenge for me but, to be an instrument to develop future taekwondo champions from my city is a privilege. I will do my best to meet what is expected of me,” Telequido said.*