Cebu City Aims to Expand Sports Access with New Ordinances for Youth and PWDs
In a significant move to bolster long-term sports development, Cebu City is set to benefit from two proposed ordinances focused on enhancing access to physical activities for young athletes and persons with disabilities (PWDs). These initiatives, championed by City Councilor Nyza Archival and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation - Cebu City President Rhea Mae Jakosalem, aim to create a more inclusive and structured framework for sports in the city.
Paralympic Sports Development Ordinance of 2026
Councilor Nyza Archival has introduced the Cebu City Paralympic Sports Development Ordinance of 2026, which seeks to establish an organized system for training and support for athletes with physical disabilities. This ordinance proposes the creation of the Cebu City Paralympic Sports Development Program, offering free training, coaching, medical support, and financial assistance to qualified participants.
Under this proposal, the Cebu City Sports Institute will serve as the primary training center. Its facilities are designed to accommodate PWDs and support programs such as coaching clinics, sports science services, and potential athlete dormitories. Archival emphasized that this measure aims to ensure equal opportunities for PWDs to train and participate in sports, including potential involvement in national and international competitions.
Sugbo Cup Grassroots League Initiative
In a parallel effort, Rhea Mae Jakosalem is pushing for the institutionalization of the Sugbo Cup, an annual inter-barangay sports league for athletes aged 18 to 24 from the city's 80 barangays. The proposed ordinance mandates barangays to organize youth teams to compete in sports like basketball, volleyball, football or futsal, athletics, table tennis, and badminton.
The league will be organized by the Cebu City Sports Commission in partnership with the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, with an initial budget of P5 million allocated for the first year of implementation. Jakosalem clarified that this program aims to discover athletic talents at the grassroots level while promoting healthy lifestyles, discipline, and teamwork among the youth.
Together, these ordinances represent a comprehensive approach to sports development in Cebu City, targeting both inclusivity for PWDs and engagement for young athletes. By providing structured support and opportunities, the city hopes to foster a vibrant sports culture that can produce competitive talents for higher-level competitions.
