AFTER the successful hosting of the 2019 Palarong Pambansa, Davao City untiringly hosted again another national sports event, the 63rd Prisaa National Games 2019.

The city hosted these major successfully and peacefully. And this is something the Dabawenyos must be proud of when we started positioning the city as a meetings, incentives, conferences and events (Mice) destination.

Last Sunday, May 19, the opening ceremony was held at the University of Mindanao (UM) track and field oval and around 7,000 delegates from the different regions in the country participated in the event.

The ceremony was attended by government officials, including Commission in Higher Education (Ched) Chairman Dr. J. Prospero E. Devera III, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez, and Prisaa National President Ma. Lita Montalban.

Devera, in his message, emphasized the Ched's strong support to the Philippine sports.

"We celebrate the renewed commitment of the commission to be actively participating in Philippine sports, that's why we came here in full force," he said.

Ramirez also acknowledged the officials of the academic institutions for their effort and support to make the event possible. He urged the schools to also help the marginalized sector in their communities through sports.

"I would like to encourage the university leadership, especially the sports office to create a genuine and strong community sports program. When you create a small community sports program especially to those poor communities, the destitute, those marginalized, when you do that to the community, that's greater than championship," Ramirez said.

Sports is not a mere competition for gold, not even a competition of strength. It is an instrument used to show unity in diversity is not an impossible dream.