The stage is set for the Davao City Athletic Association (Dcaa) Meet 2025, scheduled from February 4 to 8, according to Department of Education (DepEd) Davao City Division Superintendent Rey Solitario.
The opening ceremonies will be held at 3 p.m. on February 4 at the Davao City National High School (DCNHS) grounds.
Solitario said they have invited Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, Vice Mayor Melchor Quitain Jr., members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, and DepEd regional director Allan Farnazo to grace the opening program.
This year's theme, "No Limits: Ushering Dabawenyo Youth Athletes Toward Athletic Excellence," highlights inclusivity in sports. "We welcome all learners, regardless of disabilities, to participate in this event," Solitario emphasized.
Largest meet in Davao
With over 600 participating private and public schools, the Dcaa Meet remains one of the largest sporting competitions in the Davao Region.
"We will select the best athletes to represent the Davao City Durians in the Davraa Meet on March 9 to 15," Solitario said in a Messenger interview with SunStar Davao on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
Solitario said that unit heads and district supervisors finalized the event details to ensure smooth preparations in a meeting on Monday, January 27, 2025.
Meanwhile, polo shirts for technical officials have been procured and are expected to be delivered next week.
Qualifying time
While qualifying time standards will still apply in time-based events like athletics and swimming, Solitario confirmed that all Dcaa Meet 2025 gold medalists will automatically advance to the Davraa Meet 2025, regardless of whether they meet the time requirements.
Gold medalists, even if they have not met the qualification, iapil gihapon nato for experience, murag na approve naman. Tanang events, tanang dula, naa ta'y representation. Sa Davraa Meet na gyud ang selection proper for the Palarong Pambansa.
Rey Solitario, Department of Education (DepEd) Davao City Division superintendent
(Even if some gold medalists don’t meet the qualifying time, we will still include them for the experience. It looks like this has already been approved. We will have representation in all events and competitions. The proper selection for the Palarong Pambansa will take place during the Davraa Meet)," he said.
Solitario is confident that Davao City will field a strong delegation for the regional meet, given the intense competition in the Dcaa Meet 2025.
"Davao City has consistently dominated the Davraa Meet because of our high-quality athlete selection. Ang selection process nato sa Dcaa is very strong. Sa Dcaa man gud strong na kaayo mga contdenders, so pag-abot sa Davraa dili na kaayo maglisod (Our Dcaa selection process is rigorous, and since our athletes compete against strong contenders early on, they won’t struggle as much when they reach Davraa)," he added. MLSA
