Kath M. Cortez/davaotoday.com
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Dubbed as one of the prestigious regional level athletic competitions in Davao, the 2019 Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) Meet formally opened on Sunday, January 27 at the newly constructed PHP180-million UP Sports Complex in this city.
An estimated 4,985 athletes from provinces and cities in the region will compete in 21 regular games, 4 special games, and 3 demonstrations during the week-long sports competition.
The athletes, together with the 976 coaches and their 126 chaperones are from various elementary and secondary schools in the region, both in public and private institutions.
This is the second time that Davao City is hosting the regular DAVRAA competition, a move which Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said is a vital step while the city is gearing towards the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa this year.
Davao City first hosted the Palarong Pambansa way back in 1950 when it was only known as the Bureau of Public Schools Interscholastic Athletics Association Games.
It was Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones who announced the confirmation after Davao City beat other three bidders, namely Zamboanga Province, Misamis Occidental, and General Santos City.
Davao City will host more than 15,000 young Filipino athletes from 17 provinces in the country that are expected to compete at this year’s game.
Challenge to Athletes
Mayor Sara graced last Sunday’s opening ceremony, together with boxing champ Jerwin Ancajas.
In her speech, the mayor reminded the athletes of three important matters; to study hard to finish education, to listen, follow their teachers, and to also listen to the parents “as they know by experience what’s wrong and right”.
“The pressures for you win maybe high but keep in mind that the greatest hurdle and achievement of you sports dream is not your fellow athletes or pressure from outside forces but the limitations you set for yourself in your minds. So just keep your focus and give it your all” Mayor Sara emphasized.
Ancajas who was the Guest of Honor of the opening ceremony told the athletes to “trust God and endure discipline” to become successful.
He also shared the hardships he endured as an athlete, who in his early years faced challenges because of poverty.
“Poverty is not a hindrance to become successful. Just trust God and endure all the difficulties, for one day all your effort will be paid off,” said Ancajas.
Before he became a world champion, Ancajas started his boxing career in Barangay Una Boxing Gym of Panabo Representative Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo Jr.
Pressure
The pressure is on the defending champ and host, Davao City Durians which will again assert its supremacy against other ten delegations.
These delegations include the Davao del Norte Pioneers, Compostela Valley Gold, Davao del Sur Cobras, Davao Occidental Slashers, Davao Oriental Sunrisers, Digos City Trekkers, Island Garden City of Samal, Mati City Eagles, Panabo City Magnates, and Tagum City Tagumpay.
Tight security
The bombing incident in Jolo where more than 20 people were killed and dozens were injured has tightened the security measures implemented during the opening of DAVRAA 2019.
This was confirmed to reporters by Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) deputy head Angel Sumagaysay.
A week before the event, authorities have already deployed 18,845 members of security forces, including auxiliary personnel, for the event.
Security measures also include the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras within and outside the vicinity of the sports complex.
The installation of CCTVs is a standard operating procedure in keeping the athletes, coaches, athletic officials and guests safe, according to Sumagaysay.
“We have tightened our security plan a bit since our security and emergency plan is in placed,” he pointed out.
At the venue of the opening ceremony on Sunday, a total of 1,300 personnel were deployed in the sports complex to ensure the safety of all the attendees including some officials and other guests, Sumagaysay said. (davaotoday.com)
