DAVAO City's delegation of some 90 athletes, coaches, city employees and medical staff, who will represent Mindanao-Philippines, will leave for Brunei Tuesday, December 4, to compete in the 10th BIMP-NT Eaga Friendship Games.

Mikey Aportadera, Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO) officer-in-charge, will head the delegation that will leave for Manila at 12:05 p.m. via Cebu Pacific. Their flight to Brunei is set at 8:20 p.m. with an expected 10:40 p.m. arrival.

Aportadera, interviewed by SunStar Davao during a recent orientation with the Philippine Sports Commission at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, said about P3-million budget was allocated by the City Government of Davao for the city's participation to the biennial Games. The bulk of the budget went to air fares.

He also thanked the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for its provisions to the delegates during his message.

“Ang ilang gihatag to be honest nakuratan ko (I was surprisesd by what the PSC gave). I did not expect the generosity of the PSC to extend that much. Nimbawot akong balahibo. Ana mo kapangga ni Chairman Butch, he believes in you (I had goose bumps. That's how chairman Butch loves you, he believes in you),” Aportadera said, citing the set of Asics apparel, rubber shoes and white luggage for each delegate.

He also said, “Take pride in representing the country.

Pasalamat mo sa Ginoo (Thank God) that you are destined to be here.”

Meanwhile, PSC's delegation officials arrived in Brunei last Sunday.

A total of eight sports are entered in the Brunei Games but Dabawenyos will only compete in aquatics, athletics, karatedo, sepak takraw, taekwondo and wushu. Lawn balls, which will start tomorrow, and pencak silat are also included in the sports roster. (MLSA)