FROM about five schools when it started in Cagayan de Oro City, the 4th Mindanao Peace Games (MPG) will open with 13 members on October 26 at the Father Saturnino Urios University in Butuan City.

MPG convener Noli Ayo, in yesterday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum yesterday at The Annex of SM City Davao, said: "Masaya na from four to five schools when we started we are 13 this year. We have two new members from Davao - San Pedro College and University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep)."

From Cagayan de Oro City, past editions of the MPG were held in General Santos City and Davao City.

"The MPG will have nine sporting events and four parallel events that will help athletes and coaches build character - coaches' forum, ted talk, popcorn and movie night, among others," Ayo said.

Basketball, volleyball, football, table tennis, badminton, swimming, karatedo, taekwondo and chess are featured in the five-day Games supported by Smart, One Meralco Foundation and The Discovery Leisure Company.

While most events are for female athletes, Ayo said they have been organizing pocket events for men including the college men's football slated November 7 to 11 in Davao City.