Friday, July 04, 2008 Athletes promote peace in Mindanao By Lynde Salgados
TUBOD, Lanao del Norte -- They came to promote peace and the beautiful island of Mindanao through sports development as the catalyst for change.
With a good number of sports leaders in attendance, the 2nd Mindanao Sports Summit scored a major victory as it opened here Thursday morning at the Mindanao Civic Center.
"In the name of sports, we came here traveling by miles and endured a long journey. Your presence is very inspiring to all of us who love sports development and the bright future that it can offer to the young," said Philippine Sports Commission chairman William "Butch" Ramirez.
Ramirez welcomed guests from as far as Kidapawan, Davao Oriental, General Santos City, Zamboanga del Sur, Camiguin, Cagayan de Oro, Valencia City, and Malaybalay City in Bukidnon, among others.
"This is not a lonely journey for Mindanao. This is all about the people of Mindanao and the richness of Mindanao," he said.
PSC's Project Development Officer V Joseph Encabo said the two-day activity hosted by the province of Lanao del Norte is geared toward bringing back the Mindanao Friendship Games, which debuted in 2001. Its last games were held in 2003 in Mati, Davao Oriental.
The friendship games, which sent a strong message of peace in the region in 2001, 2002, and 2003, were scrapped in the calendar of the national sports agency in 2004 reportedly due to funding shortage.
MFG was stopped for the next five years.
Ramirez, a native of Davao, said the main purpose of the summit is "to consult each other" what's good for Mindanao in the realm of sports.
Ramirez said strengthening sports development in Mindanao can put Mindanao "as one despite differences in religion, culture and status."
"In sports, no one bothers to ask your religion or status. They (Mindanawons) will just play and develop camaraderie and friendship through sports," he said.
Ramirez is a former professor at the Ateneo de Davao University.
Lanao del Norte Governor Khalid Dimaporo also believes that sports can promote Mindanao as land not of conflict but of peace and prosperity." Dimaporo is the country's youngest governor at 28.
The summit will take up discussions such as the role of PSC and LGUs (local government units) in sports development, areas of partnership, problems and concerns of Mindanao sports and action plan for Mindanao sports development.
"Cultivating Peace and Friendship through Sports" is the theme of the summit.
