Dabawenyo athletes are gearing up to showcase their abilities at the 2024 Batang Pinoy National Championship and the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area Northern Territory (BIMP-EAGA + NT) friendship games, which will be held from November 20 to 30 and November 29 to December 6 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, respectively.
The Batang Pinoy is a national sports development program established by Executive Order No. 44 series of 1998. Its goal is to promote physical education and sports programs among children by cultivating their self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence with the support of national agencies, local government units, and sports associations.
The BIMP-EAGA friendship game was created to promote camaraderie and sportsmanship among youth in the sub-region.
Mayor Sebastian Duterte, in his message delivered by Vice Mayor Jay Melchor Quitain Jr. during the send-off ceremony on Monday, wished the athletes the best of luck in their competitions.
He said the city government always supports them as they pursue their path to success and demonstrate to the world the Dabawenyo pride in sports.
He also reminded delegates to be grateful to their sponsors, friends, coaches, and families who helped them reach their greatest potential.
“To our delegates keep your focus and give it your all. Rest in the assurance that you have done everything you can to prepare for the game. Always believe in yourself and find encouragement in every trial and setback,” he said.
“You may be far from home during the competition; nevertheless, we are confident you will strive to finish it strong and make the most of the opportunity to forge friendships with fellow athletes of the country and the BIMP-EAGA,” he added.
He said the athletes have already made their families, schools, and hometowns proud as he expressed his hope that they would continue to play in sports leagues in the future.
“Above all, we are truly rooting for your success. Know that we are proud of your achievements, in the person that you have become today. Remember also that real victory not only comes from winning but also from doing your best in displaying acts of discipline, teamwork, integrity, and sportsmanship. May you continue to excel not just in the field of sports but in all other facets of your lives as well,” he said.
Michael Denton Aportadera, the officer-in-charge of the City Sports Development Division, also said in his speech that he believes in the capabilities of the athletes.
“Sports is either you win or lose. Whether you win? [That’s] good. That’s the goal, that’s your hard work, being a testament and manifesting your goal. If you lose? It’s okay, chin up, come back home, be trained, and become better, because the journey of becoming a Dabawenyo athlete that’s what’s important. It is not losing, but your journey going back and coming back home, being trained, and then competing again,” he said.
Aportadera, in an interview with the City Information Office, said Davao City is setting its sights on a higher finish in this year’s competitions after ranking 3rd place in last year’s Batang Pinoy and 4th place during the 10th BIMP-EAGA friendship games in 2018.
He said they made sure that delegates were well-trained and were given enough time for them to prepare for the competitions.
“I am very optimistic because I understand that since the years before this, the direction of the Davao City’s ranking has always been going up,” he said.
A total of 287 athletes will be sent off to compete for the Batang Pinoy to compete in archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, chess, cycling, dancesport, futsal, gymnastics, and jiu-jitsu.
Ninety delegates are set to participate in the BIMP-EAGA friendship games. They will compete in the sports of archery, athletics, badminton, esports, pencak silat, sepak takraw, swimming, and karatedo. CIO
