Iloilo City Sports Academy rolls out free summer sports clinic
The Iloilo City Government has officially launched the 2026 Summer Sports Clinic under the Iloilo City Sports Academy, offering free training across more than 20 sports disciplines as part of its continuing push for grassroots sports development.
The program kicked off on April 14, 2026 at the La Paz Plaza Gym, opening its doors to young Ilonggos eager to learn, train, and stay active during the summer.
Mayor Raisa Treñas emphasized that the initiative aims to promote a healthy and active lifestyle while shaping discipline and teamwork among the youth.
“Through sports, we are not only developing skills but also guiding our children toward positive habits and values,” she said.
Free training across 20+ sports
The Summer Sports Clinic is open to children and teens, generally within the 5 to 17 years old age bracket, and is available free of charge to bona fide residents of Iloilo City.
Participants can choose from a wide range of sports, including:
Arnis, badminton, basketball, chess, lawn tennis, volleyball, table tennis, football, frisbee, pickleball, sepak takraw, weightlifting, pencak silat, boxing, taekwondo, jiu jitsu, and aikido, among others.
Registration is being facilitated at the Iloilo City Sports Development Division located at the Iloilo City Hall, where applicants are required to submit standard documents such as a PSA birth certificate, barangay clearance, medical clearance, and ID photos.
More than just a summer activity
Beyond seasonal training, the clinic is part of the broader mission of ICSA, a flagship grassroots program of the city that provides year-round, free sports development opportunities for young Ilonggos.
Since its launch in 2019, the academy has grown significantly, training thousands of athletes and serving as a pipeline for local and national competitions, while also functioning as a social intervention program that keeps youth engaged and away from harmful influences.
National recognition for local innovation
The impact of the program has not gone unnoticed. The Iloilo City Sports Academy was named a finalist in the 2024 Galing Pook Awards, one of the country’s most prestigious recognitions for innovative and effective local government programs.
The recognition highlights ICSA not only as a sports initiative, but as a model for youth development and good governance—one that is scalable and replicable by other local government units across the Philippines.
Building the next generation of Ilonggo athletes
With expanded offerings this year and growing participation, the Summer Sports Clinic continues to strengthen Iloilo City’s vision of nurturing well-rounded, disciplined, and competitive young athletes.
More than medals and competition, city officials underscore that the program is about investing in the future—one child, one sport, and one opportunity at a time.
