SPORTS is always been a big part of the Araw ng Dabaw celebration.
The events add festivity to the colorful annual celebration and bring out the sportsmanship and competitiveness of the Dabawenyos.
There are nearly 30 different sporting events being staged yearly that is ran by different NSA’s (National Sports Association).
These include arnis, aero-marathon, athletics, baseball, badminton, billiards, body building, bowling, chess, cycling, dama, dancesport, football, futsal, judo, karatedo, motocross, paragames, rugby football, softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, and volleyball.
However, the 81st Araw ng Dabaw celebration is taken to a whole new level as the city plays host to the first Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 25.
This is also the first-ever Ironman race to be staged in Mindanao.
"It is such an honor for Davao City to host for the very first time the staging of the prestigious triathlon in Mindanao, one that could bring the best swim, bike and run athletes from all over the world and all over the country," Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio said during the launching of the event last year.
This event will bring in seasoned triathletes from different nations, who will also be able to take a glimpse of Davao City’s fusion of nature, urban infrastructure, and culture.
It also promises to bring celebrity triathletes such as Piolo Pascual, Matteo Guidicelli, Gerald Anderson, Jake Cuenca, Troy Montero, Aubrey Miles, and Kim Atienza.
Aside from the Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao, on March 14, the prestigious and yet free-admission Asean Basketball League (ABL) was staged at the University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep) Gym where San Miguel Alab Pilipinas and Saigon Heat had a rematch.
Dabawenyos and basketball fanatics witnessed former Ginebra San Miguel import Justin Brownlee suited up for the Filipino-side, which originally relied on its star Bobby Ray Parks.
Other sporting events are the aero marathon on March 21 at Abreeza Mall; arnis on March 17 and 18 at Gaisano Grand Citimall; athletics on March 17 and 18 at University of Mindanao and Ateneo de Davao University - Matina campus; badminton on March 16 to 18 at Wheels n' More; billiards on March 15 to 17 at Arnel Billiard Hall; Daciba-bowling on March 12 to 17 at the Dover Mega Lanes; MYDC-chess on March 17 at the Davao Wisdom Academy; cycling on March 24 at the Davao Crocodile Park; dama on March 16 to 18 at the Osmeña Park; dancesport on March 23 at the Annex of SM City Davao; futsal on March 17 to 18 at the University of the Philippines Mindanao; football on March 24 to 25 at the Tionko Football Grounds; judo on March 24 at the DJA Central Gym; karatedo on March 17 to 18 at the Felcris Centrale; motocross on March 17 to 18 at the Moto-X Farm in Barangay Langub; paragames on March 28 at the Rizal Park; rugby football on March 16 to 18 at the University of Mindanao; softball on March 24 to 25 at the University of Mindanao; swimming on March 17 at the Ateneo de Davao University - Matina Campus; table tennis at Spin Davao; tennis on March 16 and 17 at Balhai and Ecoland Phase 4; and volleyball on March 16 to 18 Felis Beach Resort.
With the annual staging of the sporting event and this year's addition of Alveo Ironman 70.3 and ABL, Davao City has definitely made its mark as a staunch supporter of various sporting events and athletes.