MANILA, Philippines – The new Sorsogon Sports Arena (SSA) may just serve as training ground for the country’s next Olympians.
This is what President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hoped as he inaugurated the sprawling arena in Barangay Balogo, Sorsogon City on Thursday, October 17.
Inspired by the Colosseum in Rome, the 37,794.01-square meter, four-story sports facility features an eight-lane rubberized track, a huge field, vast spaces for various sporting events, and an estimated seating capacity of 12,000.
The SSA can also accommodate athletes and other guests in its 139 rooms, including 39 dorm-type rooms with 560 bed capacity, and has two infirmaries.
“[Maaari itong gamitin] bilang National Training Camp sa mga atletang Pilipino,” said Marcos during the inauguration that also celebrated the province’s 130th founding anniversary and the 50th Kasanggayahan Festival celebration.
“Ito po ay isang mahalagang hakbang upang maitaguyod natin ang ating mga kababayan na may angking galing sa larangan ng palakasan. Sa tulong nito, mabibigyan sila ng pagkakataon upang mahasa pa ang kanilang mga talent,” he added.
(It may be used as a National Training Camp for Filipino athletes. This is an important step for us to support our compatriots gifted in sports. With this venue, they’ll be given a chance to sharpen their talent.)
Marcos also cited the province’s own, former Philippine athletics record holder Isidro del Prado of Cagang, Barcelona, Sorsogon, who competed in the 400-meter event of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“Sa bawat hakbang ng kanyang karera, itinampok niya ang tapang, katatagan, at determinasyon — mga katangiang nagbubuklod at nagtataguyod sa atin bilang nagkakaisang bansa,” said Marcos.
(In every step of his career, he showed courage, strength and determination — qualities that united our country.)
“Tulad din ng mga Olympians natin na lumahok nitong 2024 Paris Olympics, hangarin natin sa pamamagitan ng arena na ito, [na] lalo pang dumami ang mga kababayan natin na magbibigay ng dangal sa ating bansa. Harinawa ay maidagdag pa natin sila sa hanay ng ating Olympian at atletang Pinoy.”
(Just like our athletes who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, we hope that through this arena, there will be more Filipinos who will bring honor to our country. Let’s hope there will be more who will join the ranks of our Olympians and Filipino athletes.)
Marcos said the arena also symbolizes Sorsogon’s progress, noting the province can also utilize the multiple functions of the arena, including as venue for concerts, summits, and event hosting. – Rappler.com