Monday, March 24, 2008 DavNor to hold sports summit By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
DAVAO del Norte, aiming to become the new sports capital in the South, is taking a major step towards that direction with the holding of the first-ever Davao del Norte Sports Summit on April 3 to 4.
The province's sports front office head, Anthony del Rosario, told journalists recently that he expects around 600 participants to the two-day summit, which is fully supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Most of the participants will come from the barangays, public schools, and youth sector.
Del Rosario, son of Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, said PSC Chair William "Butch" Ramirez has confirmed his attendance in the summit.
He said Ramirez would also be sending the country's top resource speakers on various subject matters from the Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) to address the participants.
The speakers will help the province formulate its own grassroots development program, which is targeted to be implemented in the near future.
"From this summit we intend to achieve an honest-to-goodness sports program for Davao del Norte. That is what we hope to achieve," Del Rosario said.
The young Del Rosario said the holding of the sports summit is only one of the major undertakings they have scheduled this year.
Construction of the province's P270-million state-of-the-art sports complex is expected to commence soon. The sports complex, to be built in Barangay Mankilam, is targeted for completion before summer of 2010, around the time the Palarong Pambansa will take place.
Davao del Norte is also making a serious bid to host the Palaro, underscoring its ambitious yet impressive goal to become the country's newest sports destination.
