It was during the incumbency of then Governor Atila Acevedo Balgos, the 13th governor of Capiz period from 1960-62, when the province became champion. Balgos made sports a virtual priority in his single term as governor.
After his first term, Balgos was appointed by then President Diosdado Macapagal to head the National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Authority (NARRA). A known disciplinarian, Oxing, as he was fondly called by his close friends and relatives, embarked on a serious sports program in Capiz.
Discipline, dedication, motivation and appropriation of substantial fund for training local athletes; the combined effort of selected coaches and sports consultants paid off in the performances of our athletes who bested the best and the rest of the region.
With the championship as the ultimate goal, local athletes and coaches rallied early for the 1962 WVRAA Meet.
Months of serious training and conditioning made Capiz athletes more prepared for the competition. Their trainings were then restricted to the confines of the Capiz Villareal Stadium which was then a rough, raw and bare ground. There was no rubberized oval and the tennis, basketball and volleyball courts were made of earth. There was no Olympic size swimming pool and players were made to play under the heat of sun as there were no covered courts at the time.
In simple terms, Capiz athletes underwent rugged and rigid training regimen, utilizing whatever resources available. But still, they rallied well and the championship was won.
In the 60s, Roxas City had barely a dozen hotels that can accommodate 200 guests the most. Players, coaches and school heads stayed in local school rooms for the duration of the sports event. Only a few are billeted in local hotels and parents accompanying their kids usually seek accommodation from relatives and friends residing in the city.
After more than five decades, the city now has 45 hotels which can accommodate more than 3,000 guests at any given time. The Capiz Villareal Stadium has been renovated and upgraded to the max.
With an Olympic size swimming pool, fully air-conditioned 6,000 capacity gym, rubberized oval and paved tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, the 10-hectare sports complex has become the official venue of various events aside from sports. It has also become a major forerunner in promoting sports tourism in the province of Capiz.
Looking back and reminiscing how it was then, present day athletes and coaches can only imagine the amount of determination, motivation and dedication the men and women have infused to excel against the much feared athletes from other provinces.
Athletes selected from a long list of aspirants trained in much improved facilities and guided by well-paid coaches through a well-funded sports program. With enough budget and government support, Capiz athletes were also given respite from their academic worries or endeavors while training and competing.
No school projects, assignments or academic loads were given to students/athletes bound to train and compete in the WVRAA. With only their training and improving their skills occupying their minds, athletes were focus on one thing – going for the gold.
With substantial training and logistical support from the provincial government, Capiz athletes faced their opponents with pride and confidence. Considered an underdog in most sport events, imagine the astonishment of everyone when Capiz was declared overall champion.
Everyone was ecstatic when the final announcement was made. A number of Capiceños were in tears to realize that nothing is impossible if only we believe, work hard for it and get enough support from the local government.
Tears of joy poured that very day when the 1962 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet came to an end. It was a happy moment for all Capiceños.
For most, it was a celebration of an achievement. Others viewed it as a Capiceño victory against the giants.
When David came face-to-face with Goliath armed only with a sling shot, he did not run away and hide or became scared of Goliath’s huge physical attributes. Instead he uttered: “God, he’s so big, I cannot miss.”
That story happened only once in the Bible – hopefully it will not be the same fate with Capiz aspiring for another WVRAA championship. History could repeat itself, mind you. (Alger O. Inocencio/The Daily Guardian)
