Seven young weightlifters who are scholars of electricity provider Alsons Power Group were recognized here Tuesday for demonstrating “exceptional athletic and academic excellence.”

Councilor Jerome Santos, who represented Mayor John Dalipe during the ceremony, advised the athletes to focus on developing their potential to become medal haulers in future international competitions like the Olympics.

The power firm awarded plaques of recognition and cash to seven of the 14 Alsons Power Hidilyn Diaz Scholars.

“Continue to develop your potential in weightlifting so that one day, you will reap medals and bring honor not only to the country and city of Zamboanga but also to the Alsons Power Group,” Santos added.

Three of the seven awardees have won medals in the 2019 World Youth Weightlifting Championship in Saudi Arabia, and the 2022 Asian Junior and Youth Weightlifting Championship in Uzbekistan.

“The minimum parameters in staying in the scholarship are to pass in their respective classes, but they exceeded that requirement,” said Oscar Benedict Contreras III, head of Alsons Power Corporate Communications.

“That’s how good our athletes and scholars are,” Contreras added, noting that all the seven awardees are in the top 12 of their respective school grade levels.

Rosegie Ramos, one of the scholars, said she is grateful to former Councilor Elbert Atilano, a weightlifting coach, and Tokyo Olympic Gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz as well as the Alsons Power Group for conceptualizing the scholarship program in 2016.

A winner of three gold medals at the 2022 Asian Junior and Youth Weightlifting Championship in Uzbekistan, Ramos said the scholarship program provides them the opportunity to study for free and with a stipend.

Ramos said the partnership with Hidilyn Diaz that began in 2016 is part of Alsons Power’s commitment to helping provide more educational opportunities for young people in the areas where the power company operates.

The program aims to produce world-class Filipino weightlifters who will hopefully replicate Diaz’s feat of winning gold in the Olympics and other international competitions.

It currently has a pool of 14 power scholars, almost all of whom have participated and won medals in local and international competitions. (PNA)