City to fete top athletes in February

THE City Government of Davao will hold the 2nd Athletes' Recognition ceremony in February, a few weeks before the celebration of the 76th Araw ng Dabaw foundation anniversary.

Pochollo Elegino, officer-in-charge of the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office, bared this on Thursday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum held at Dexter's Pizza Stadium in Matina.

"It will no longer be a night affair as it had been last year because Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will host another appreciation gathering for other sectors on the same day that she will honor the athletes who have given pride and glory for the city over the past year," Elegino said.

From the usual March schedule though, the athletes' recognition was moved to February 27 or February 28 as Mayor Sara is set to give birth in March.

Elegino said they will soon remind local national sports associations (NSAs) and sports clubs to submit the list of their achievers since the Mayor wants every deserving athlete to be feted.

The SDD-CMO, meanwhile, is also spearheading the Ehersisyo Dabawenyo every 6:30 a.m. at the Rizal Park. The open admission weekly event aims to promote healthy and active lifestyle among city residents.

Elegino, thus, urged Dabawenyos to make the Saturday exercise a weekly habit of the every family.

The Davao City Hall Employees Association (Dachea) Sportsfest, featuring seven events, will also open next month and will end in March.

The city will also extend financial assistance to differently-abled athletes who will compete in the upcoming Philspada National Games in Laguna.

The annual summerfest will be held sometime in April. (MLSA)