THE Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2020 is the latest victim of the coronavirus disease (Covid-2019) scare after host Provincial Government of Davao de Oro bared Thursday, February 13, its postponement from March 15 to 22 to April 1 to 7.
"The Davao Regional Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet is postponed to April 1-7, 2020. Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy revealed this in a press conference saying that the meet was previously set on March 15-22 but due to COVID-19, the committee has to postpone it again," said Davao de Oro provincial information officer Michael Uy in a group chat message to Davao de Oro media.
Davao de Oro Governor Tyron Uy reportedly declared the postponement in a press conference held February 13.
It was also announced by the Davao de Oro Provincial Government on its Facebook page on Friday, February 14.
"Although there has been no confirmed case of the Covid-19 in the province, the organizers decided to postpone the sports meet to protect our student athletes and guests from conditions that will leave them susceptible to the disease," the post stated.
A SunStar Davao source, who requested anonymity, said the rescheduling of the regional meet, which serves as qualifying event for the Palarong Pambansa 2020 set in Marikina City, is favorable to all participating Department of Education (DepEd) divisions and particularly to the host.
The source said the host province can have ample time for the procurement of equipment and preparing the venues needed for the staging of the games for elementary and secondary student athletes, while delegations can also have more time for training.
"Graduations man pud gud ang March (Graduations are usually held in March), so it is favorable to have the meet in April but the downside is the shorter period for athletes to train for the Palaro after the regional meet," the source said.
Davraa-bound Davao City athletes started their quartering at Davao City National High School on February 13.
Davao City is the perennial Davraa Meet champion.
Uy earlier cancelled the province's foundation anniversary celebration.
Davao City Athletic Association (DCAA) secondary boys basketball champion coach Nestor "Tating" Sorrosa, for his part, said in a phone interview with SunStar Davao that the postponement was "good news."
"Taas-taas ang preparasyon, dili man maapektuhan ang among training. Mag meeting pa man mi mga coaches unya daw, mahibaw-an ni kung idayon ang quartering or iundang usa kay nakasugud naman gud (We can have sufficient time for training. Dcaa coaches will meet later then we will know if the quartering will continue or will also be postponed as it has already started)," he said.
Sorrosa, head coach of Holy Child College of Davao Red Eagles, said the DCAA secondary boys basketball team is holding quarters at their school.
The squad is beefed up by one player each from Davao Jones Academy, Jose Maria College and Rizal Memorial Colleges.
DCAA secondary girls chess champion Irish Yngayo, for her part, said she does not want the new Davraa Meet schedule.
"Dili pabor sa ako Ma'am kay daghan ug dula na mag conflict (The new schedule will have conflict with other chess tournaments I plan of joining)," she said.
She cited the National Juniors Chess Championships (Boys & Girls)- Mindanao Leg on April 1 and 2 in Panabo City, Davao del Norte and the Cong. Alan R. Dujali Cup 3x3 Team Tournament at Panabo City, Davao del Norte on April 5.
But the University of Mindanao bemedaled chesser said she will prioritize the Davraa Meet 2020.