NCAA Season 100 management committee chairman Hercules Callanta said the country's oldest collegiate league isn't closing its doors to the prospect of adding new sports like weightlifting and gymnastics to its lineup of events.
Callanta, a former weightlifter himself, said these two sporting events could be welcome inclusions to the lineup someday.
"We are not closing the door on adding those events, especially because I was a former weightlifter. I was a weightlifter for the University of the Philippines and the Philippine team," Callanta told GMA News Online.
"But the practical side of things is gymnastics and weightlifting, the equipment requirements are quite expensive so maybe in the near future. [Ngayon], hindi pa muna."
The popularity of weightlifting and gymnastics has gained traction of late, especially after the success seen by the country in these sports during the Olympic Games.
Gymnastics, of course, was put in the limelight by Carlos Yulo, who won two gold medals in the floor exercise and vault events in Paris, leading the way for the Philippines' best-ever finish in the Summer Games since it started participating 100 years ago.
Weightlifting was also a highlight in the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, with Hidilyn Diaz delivering for the country its first-ever gold medal. In Paris, three Filipino weightlifters in Elreen Ando, who finished in sixth place in her event, Vanessa Sarno, and John Ceniza represented the country though they missed out on podium finishes.
Currently, the main events of the league are men's basketball, men's and women's volleyball, athletics, men's football, beach volleyball, tennis, taekwondo, and cheerleading.
In a previous interview, Callanta already bared their plan of including several 'sports of interest' like arnis, esports, and obstacle sports.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
