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Friday, March 29, 2024

Mindanao Games go on, unmindful of martial law

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THE staging of the 2017 Mindanao Children’s Games is expected not only to get children into sports, but also help mold responsible and well-rounded future leaders of the country.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez, the moving force behind this undertaking, said this during the opening ceremonies held yesterday at the Almendras Gym in Davao City.

“The true gold mine in sports are found not in high-level competitions but in the children whose lives we touch and change through sports,” said Ramirez.

The games got going amidst the turmoil that took place this week in nearby Marawi City.

Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz and PSC Chairman William Ramirez are shown with participants of the2017 Mindanao Children’s Games.

Davao is now on “hold and secure” status, downgraded from a lockdown the other day when the Marawi siege erupted in that city and martial law was declared all over Mindanao by President Rodrigo Duterte.

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Almost 500 children 12 years-old and below participated in the 3-on-3 boys’ basketball and girls’ volleyball. 

Larong pinoy games will be played today with estimated participants of almost 600 kids. Some 30 barangays participated in the event.

Councilor Antonette Principe-Castrodes, who represented Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, was keynote speaker.

She said that the mayor cited sports as “a suitable diversion from delinquency,” and welcomed the PSC’s efforts to make sports available to the youth.

Hidilyn Diaz, Rio Olympics Silver Medalist in weightlifting, was on hand to lend inspiration to the young participants.

“I started in sports when I was 11 years old,” shared Diaz, adding that she was around the same age as the participants when the sport which would eventually thrust her into national spotlight beckoned. 

Diaz persuaded the kids to get into sports, citing the privileges and opportunities it opened up for her. 

“Nakabyahe ako sa Pilipinas at iba-ibang bansa, nakapag-aral, nagkatrabaho at natuto dahil sa sports,” said Diaz.

The children listened intently as Diaz gamely posed with them for pictures after her speech.

Mayor Duterte-Carpio allowed the Children’s Games to push through with heightened security measures in Davao City, requesting organizers to schedule all activities during daylight.

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