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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider University of Cebu rewards Paris-bound Ando, Ceniza

University of Cebu rewards Paris-bound Ando, Ceniza

Published Apr 15, 2024 11:16 am

At A Glance

  • Elreen Ann Ando and John Februar Ceniza got ₱200,000 each after they qualified for the Summer Games, which will be held from July 26 to August 11.

CEBU CITY—The University of Cebu (UC) rewarded its two student-athletes with a hefty cash incentive for making it to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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Jessica Honoridez (from left to right), athletic director of the University of Cebu (UC), Elreen Ando, UC President Augusto Go, UC Chancellor Candice Gotianuy, John Febuar Ceniza, and coach Christopher Bureros flash the thumbs-up sign after gracing a press briefing at UC Main Campus in Cebu City on Monday, April 15. (Calvin D. Cordova)

Elreen Ann Ando and John Februar Ceniza got ₱200,000 each after they qualified for the Summer Games, which will be held from July 26 to August 11.

“We are happy and pleased. Never in our wild imagination that we would be able to produce Olympians,” said UC Chancellor Candice Gotianuy in a press conference at the UC Main Campus here on Monday, April 15.

Gotianuy initially announced that Ando and Ceniza will get ₱100,000 each. But her father, UC President Augusto Go, who sat beside her, whispered to her, announcing that he was increasing the cash reward to ₱200,000.

Ando and Ceniza’s coach Christopher Bureros will also get ₱200,000.

“We did not expect this. We will support Ando and Ceniza during and even after the Olympics,” Go said.

Ando, a hospitality management student, and Ceniza, a senior high student, could get more if they fare well in the Olympics.

Gotianuy announced that the two athletes will receive ₱1 million each if they land in the top three in their respective divisions in the Olympics.

Ando sealed her second straight trip to the Paris Olympics after finishing seventh in the 59-kilogram division in the recent International Weightlifting Federation World in Phuket, Thailand.

Ceniza, on the other hand, sealed his own seat in the Olympics by finishing fourth in the 61kg-division of the same tournament.

Ando said the support of UC was crucial in their successful bid to earn a ticket in the global spectacle.

“The motivation, the support that UC has really been a big help for us. We will do our best in the Olympics,” said Ando.

UC is the only school here with weightlifting as part of its sports program.

UC athletic director Jessica Honoridez said the university has 14 weightlifting athletes.

Honoridez said the university continues to boost its sports program to give students an opportunity to get quality education by earning a scholarship by becoming a student-athlete.

“This is really a big blessing. It’s about giving opportunities. UC did not set any conditions, it only motivates its athletes to do good in education,” said Honoridez.

Honoridez said it has been UC’s mission to keep producing top athletes in the country. One of the most prominent athletes that UC has produced is June Mar Fajardo, who is currently dominating in the PhIlippine Basketball Association.

Gotianuy, for her part, said UC’s sports program has become successful not just because of its hard-working athletes but also because of its dedicated coaches.

“The coach is the most important part of it. You have to have a very kind coach who really motivates the athletes, that’s the secret. If you don’t have a coach who cares for the athletes, your program will not be successful,” said Gotianuy.

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