PALO, Leyte– Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla has expressed pride over the remarkable performance of young athletes trained at the Leyte Sports Academy (LSA), which he established 15 years ago, following their successful campaign at the recently concluded Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte.
Of the 16 gold medals secured by athletes from Eastern Visayas, 10 were won by LSA-trained athletes, underscoring the academy’s role in developing top-tier talent in the region. The region earned 16-17-21 gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Palarong Pambansa, finishing 10th overall.
The LSA, the only of its kind in the region, was established in 2010 during Petilla’s first term as governor. He is now serving the second term of his second cycle in office.
“When we created the LSA in 2010, it wasn’t just to put up another sports academy. The goal was to put Leyte—and the entire Eastern Visayas—on the sporting map of the country,” Petilla said in an interview on Tuesday, June 3.
That same day, the governor awarded cash incentives to more than 20 LSA athletes who bagged medals at the national games. Gold medalists received P8,000, silver winners P3,000, and bronze medalists P2,000.
Located at the Tacloban City sports grandstand, the LSA offers intensive training in athletics, swimming, and boxing. Students train daily after attending their regular classes.
Currently, about 50 student-athletes are enrolled in the academy at both elementary and secondary levels. The provincial government allocates more than P120 million annually to support its operations.
While proud of the athletes’ victories, Petilla emphasized that LSA is not just about winning medals, but also about creating opportunities for a better future.
“What makes me even prouder is not just the medals they bring home, but the scholarships they earn after graduating from high school—which give them a more secure future,” he said.
Many of the academy’s graduates receive scholarship offers from universities, particularly in Metro Manila.
One such athlete is Efosa John Paul Aguinaldo, 17, from Hindang, Leyte, who is about to finish senior high school. Aguinaldo, who won gold and silver in the long jump events, shared that he was offered a scholarship by National University.
“I’m happy that I was offered a scholarship by National University,” he said, though he has yet to decide what course to pursue.
His younger sister, Iyebosa Eve, 13, is also an LSA scholar and competes in athletics.
According to Petilla, LSA has consistently produced athletes who not only shine in local and national competitions but also represent the country on the global stage.
Among its most notable alumni is Aira Villegas of Tacloban City, who won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics last year.
(JOEY A. GABIETA, ROEL T. AMAZONA)
