TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte -- The Prisaa (Private Schools Athletic Association) Davao Regional Meet formally opened sans fanfare at the University of Mindanao (UM) Tagum College gym here on April 2.
Some 750 athletes from Davao del Norte, Davao City and Davao del Sur are competing in juniors and seniors divisions in the three-day sportsfest that features basketball, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, chess, badminton, taekwondo, sepak takraw, athletics, swimming, dancesports, karatedo, baseball, boxing, beach volleyball and softball, among others.
Prisaa-Davao president Ma. Lita Montalban, who declared the opening of the meet, urged athletes and coaches to promote unity and sportsmanship during the entire games.
"Kung gamay lang man nga butang if dili na kinahanglan magprotesta dili na ta magprotesta. Dili na ungta ta mag-away-away. Mga coaches, usually sa inyo nagasugod ang away. Magkahiusa na lang ta kay isa raman ta ka region (If it's only a small thing that protest is no longer needed, we should not protest anymore. We should not fight anymore. Coaches, the trouble usually starts with you. Let us just unite for we belong to one region)," Montalban said during her message.
She also urged each athlete to shake hands with at least 10 delegates of other chapters. The coaches were also told to do the same.
National Prisaa secretary-general Laureano Santos said that competition is another venue to showcase the athletes' knowledge, skills and attitude in their journey to a higher level of competition.
"I would like to challenge each one of you to give your best in this competition for the glory of your school, province or chapter. Please bear in mind always that your best in this regional competition in the spirit of brotherhood, sportsmanship and camaraderie is the very key towards your journey to the upcoming Prisaa 2018 National Games and beyond," Santos said.
Prisaa-Davao Meet winners will advance to the national championships slated April 21-28 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
The vocal solo and duet competition was ongoing as of presstime Monday, April 2.
A total of 28 colleges and universities in Davao Region are members of Prisaa-Davao.