Puentevella reiterates call for inclusion of weightlifting in Palarong Pambansa, collegiate leagues

After the success of Hidilyn Diaz at the Tokyo Olympics, the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) president Monico Puentevella reiterated the calls to include the sport in the amateur and grassroots levels.

The official said he is appealing to both the Department of Education and UAAP executives to add weightlifting in the calendar of events for Palarong Pambansa and the collegiate league as it will help in boosting the sport in the country.

"Three or four years ago, I and Hidilyn talked to UAAP through Rod Roque and she was urging that we push for the inclusion of weightlifting in the UAAP," Puentevella shared in Tuesday's Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.

"We wrote four years ago but I was frustrated because nothing happened since then. I want to reiterate my appeal."

Puentevella's clamor is in support of Diaz' hopes just days ago where the Filipina lifter called for amateur fixtures like the UAAP and the NCAA to have weightlifting be featured on its lineup of events.

"Ever since I won in 2016 in the Olympics, that's my dream--to have weightlifting included in Palarong Pambansa and NCAA to give a chance to our youth. They will also get the scholarship opportunities," Diaz said in an interview on The Howie Severino podcast.

"But of course, it should be planned carefully."

Despite getting no response for their calls years ago, Puentevella stressed he will try his luck once more as this time, they have proven that Filipinos can compete at the highest level.

"I will write again to UAAP if they can include it and I also hope that [DepEd] Secretary [Leonor] Briones listens to us."

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News