What began as a modest grassroots initiative 15 years ago has evolved into a pillar of sports development in Eastern Visayas.
The Leyte Sports Academy (LSA), a provincial government initiative, has once again proven its worth by dominating the recently concluded 2025 Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte.
Of the 16 gold medals bagged by the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA), a remarkable 10 came from Leyte athletes—with nine of those credited to LSA’s student-athletes.
In recognition of their achievements, 24 athletes from the Leyte Schools Division received cash incentives from the provincial government, 23 of whom are proud products of the LSA program.
Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, who spearheaded the creation of LSA in 2010 following Leyte's hosting of the 2009 Palarong Pambansa, emphasized that the academy was envisioned not just to improve regional rankings but to provide underprivileged youth with life-changing opportunities.
“We saw so much potential in our youth, but many lacked the resources or opportunities,” Petilla said. “So we devised a government program to discover and nurture young talents.”
Currently, LSA has around 100 athlete-scholars, trained in athletics, boxing, wrestling, and swimming. These young athletes are not just winning medals—they are breaking barriers.
Among this year’s standout performers is Efosa John Paul Aguinaldo, who took home a gold in long jump and a silver in triple jump.
Aguinaldo, who just graduated from senior high school, has been offered a sports scholarship by National University. His younger sister is also training under LSA’s athletics program, showing the academy’s generational impact.
Perhaps most inspiring is the success story of Aira Villegas, a former LSA boxer who made history as a bronze medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
She was awarded a P2-million incentive by the Leyte government, a symbol of how far grassroots programs like LSA can take young Filipino athletes.
Grassroots development remains at the heart of LSA’s mission. It recruits student-athletes, particularly from marginalized communities, and provides them with structured sports training, academic education, and values formation—entirely free of charge.
Many LSA alumni have competed not just in national events like Palarong Pambansa and Batang Pinoy, but also on international stages such as the Southeast Asian Games.
LSA’s impact was palpable at this year’s Palaro. Chrisia Mae Tajarros, who once made headlines by running barefoot to a silver medal in 2024, clinched Leyte’s first gold in the 3,000m run.
The academy contributed 9 golds, 6 silvers, and 4 bronzes to Leyte’s overall medal tally. In total, the region earned 16 golds, 8 silvers, and 6 bronzes, placing Leyte at an impressive 10th place out of 281 School Divisions nationwide.
Petilla noted that more than the medals, it’s the educational doors opened by LSA that matter most.
“More than the medals, it’s the opportunities for better education through sports scholarships that’s making this program all worth it. Good education will provide them a better future,” he said.
As the Leyte Sports Academy continues to produce top-tier athletes and transform lives, it stands as a testament to the power of investing in grassroots sports and the dreams of the Filipino youth.
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