FOR the last two years, Davao City became a home of the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa).
It could be remembered that the event last year was held at the then newly-inaugurated University of Mindanao (UM) track oval where Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio expressed her willingness to host again this year's one of the most-awaited regional athletic competitions.
This year, January 27, the Davraa 2019 opening ceremony kicked off at the newly-constructed Davao City-University of Mindanao (UP) Sports Complex located inside the UP-Mindanao campus in Mintal, Tugbok District.
A total of 4,985 athletes from provinces and cities in the region will compete in 21 regular games, four special games, and three demonstrations during the weeklong sports competition.
Duterte-Carpio graced the opening ceremony on Sunday, January 27, together with International Boxing Federation (IBF) world super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas. In her speech, the mayor reminded the athletes that the Davraa is more than a competition.
"To our athletes, good luck. The pressure for you to win may be high, but keep in mind that the greatest hurdle in the achievement of your sports dreams is not your fellow athletes, or pressure from other outside forces, but the imitations you set for yourselves in your minds,” she said.
“So just keep your focus and give it your all. Yes, Davraa is a competition. But more than a competition, it is also a venue for growth, for self-discovery, and for friendships,” she added.
While the Department of Education (DepEd) 11 spokesperson noted that there will be no such thing as perfect hosting, he said that the city is doing its best to attain a successful event.
The second hosting of the city serves as a preparation towards the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa this coming April 27 to May 4, 2019.