TWELVE games played by ethnic tribes in the Province of Ifugao will be showcased in the two-day Gender and Development Indigenous Games in municipality of Lagawe.
The batawel race, a palay-carrying contest, and the stilt walking competition of akkad will be among the team competitions that will be seen during the games from June 23 to 24.
The competitions will be held at the provincial capitol plaza starting at 1 p.m. on Friday.
Guyyudan, or tug-of-war, among elementary and secondary students will kick off the start of activities.
A wrestling match called hinukting will be next on tap, followed by the batawel race, and the bangngunan, or leg wrestling.
“Its good to see these events become part of the Philippine Sports Commission’s grassroots program,” said Manny Bitog, one of PSC’s facilitators who understands how the games are played.
There will also be competitions in akkad, followed by the ab-abba, or the man-carrying race.
Commissioner Celia Kiram will be the keynote speaker in the opening of the Games.
Mayor Pedro Mayam-O will deliver the inspirational message to the participants in the simple opening rites. Peter Atencio
A big purse of P10,000 will be at stake for the winner of the battawel race.