Host Governor Edwin Jubahib stressed the power of sports as a tool in breaking down barriers and in building unity among the Mindanaoans.
“This is a great opportunity for us in Mindanao to unite and rally behind our shared goal and to put our region back in the history of sports, showing everyone that we are a great force to reckon with,” the Governor said in his message, as read by Provincial Sports and Youth Development Officer Giovanni Gulanes.
He also invoked the importance of honesty, respect, trust, and teamwork, which are the foundational values inherent in sports that the event is trying to inculcate in the young generations for them to become productive citizens of the country.
The qualifying meet will only feature team sports such as baseball, basketball, football, futsal, sepak takraw, football, and volleyball, with only the top two regional delegations of the cluster which will advance to the 2023 Palarong Pambansa from July 29 to August 5, 2023 in Marikina City.
Davao del Norte’s hosting of the event come on the heels of its hosting of the Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) Meet last April 23 to 28, 2023, after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. (PIA DavNor/Noel Baguio/PIO Davao del Norte)