AFTER a three-year hiatus, the Araw ng Dabaw sports festival is finally back!
The sports scene in Davao City is bustling with activities this March with various competitions and events taking place across the city.
The Covid-19 pandemic has not dampened the spirit of sports loving Dabawenyos, who welcomed the revival of the sportsfest with open arms.
The first week of in-person competitions kicked off on a high note, seeing children and adults competing in the sports closest to their hearts.
Just seeing photos of smiling athletes whose eyes are glittering with excitement, and updating their social media with the events they participated in, whether they won or lost, prove how happy they are to be back in action.
The open women's volleyball (Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center), table tennis (NCCC Mall Buhangin), doubles tennis championships (Ecoland Phase 4 Tennis Club), mixed trio bowling (Dover Mega Lanes), ultimate frisbee (Davao Crocodile Park), Davao International Marathon (People's Park), chess (Gaisano Mall of Davao) ushered the 86th Araw ng Dabaw sportsfest with hundreds of participants vying for honors.
But the action is not yet over since the sportsfest is month-long like in previous years. There is still so much to watch out for.
From March 10 to 12, badminton enthusiasts can look forward to a stiff competition at the Smash & Drop, while a road race competition will be held on March 11 in Puan Bypass Road, and the men's open and boys' secondary baseball competition will take place on March 11-12 at the Calinan National High School.
For fans of sepak takraw, the competition will take place on March 11-12 and 18-19 at Mintal Elementary School, while on March 12, the Elorde Gym will host the knockout challenge DUKC promotion, alongside the dragon boat race at Davao Coastal Road and MTB at Diversion Road Maa.
From March 14-16 and 18, open bowling enthusiasts can head to Dover Mega Lanes, while softball fans can catch the men's and women's competitions at Calinan NHS from March 16-19. The dama competition will be held at Osmeña Park on March 17-19, alongside the open men's volleyball at DCNHS.
The following week will see the athletics competition taking place at UM track oval from March 18-19, while the USEP Gym will host dancesport.
The Araw sportsfest will conclude with the karatedo event at SM City Davao on March 25-26, a football festival at Tionko field on the same days. The Shorin Ryu nationwide invitational Karatedo will take place on March 26 at DCRC, and wrapping up with the para games at Rizal Park on March 31.
Mark your calendars and check out the playing venues. Root for your teams or simply get entertained. Sports, after all, has the elements of drama, action, inspiration, and entertainment that can uplift our spirits.
Have fun!