PERSONS with disability (PWD) will take centerstage when the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)-backed Davao Para Games will formally open on Saturday, July 28, at the University of Mindanao (UM) Gym in Bolton Street, Davao City.
This was bared by Philippine Sports Association of the Differently Abled (Philspada) Davao president James Infiesto in yesterday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum held at The Annex of SM City Davao.
The event, initiated by PSC in partnership with the city government of Davao, National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) and Davao City Association of Differently Abled Persons (Adap), aims to discover athletes with disabilities and provide avenue for them to participate.
The Para Games will feature wheelchair basketball, volleyball for hearing impaired, athletics for visually impaired, wheelaton, wheel chair table tennis and standing with crutches table tennis.
PWD athletes in Mindanao are expected to join.
They will be provided with free snacks, sublimated shirts and certificates of participation.
"Winners and non-winners will also be awarded with medals so that they will really feel their participation in the event. However, there will be no cash prizes so that money will not be their motivation to join," Infiesto said.
The Para Games, he added, also complements the existing sports program for the differently-abled athletes with the likes of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw Sports Festival and Araw ng Dabaw Sports Festival as it will be done annualy as well.
Meanwhile, PSC office-in-charge Arnold Agustin and Davao City Mayor Bernie Al-ag will grace the opening ceremony.
Today, the PSC will turn over equipment to the organizers at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.