1st Mindanao Friendship Games

Inilunsad ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) at ng province of Lanao del Norte ang First Mindanao Friendship Games kamakalawa ng gabi sa Bayview Park Hotel sa Manila.

Ang pagdaraos ng nasabing games ay bahagi ng sports development program ng Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo upang mabigyan ng mas maraming oportunidad ang mga Mindanaoans upang maakit sa physical fitness at sports activities.

"The Games is also envisioned to serve as the pinnacle of a unified Mindanao sports promotion and development program," pahayag ni PSC Chairman Carlos D. Tuason.

"We hope to develop and enrich the lives of our brothers and sisters in Mindanao through sports and use it as a tool to promote peace, unity and harmony," dagdag naman ni PSC Commissioner William Ramirez, ang Overall Project Director, na tubong Davao City.

Nakatakdang idaos ang Friendship Games simula sa Nobyembre 11-15 na dinisenyo upang mahikayat ang mga Mindanao sports leaders na mapalawak at mag-organisa ng mga aktibidades na magsisilbing sasakyan para sa identifying, recruiting at training ng grassroots talents para sa international competition.

"The Games will showcase the potentials and talents of Mindanaoan athletes and re-establish a culture of sports excellent in the region," pahayag ni Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda G. Dimaporo.

Magiging lugar ng competition ang impresibong Mindanao Civic Center isang 71-hektaryang integrated trade at sports complex sa Tubod, Lanao del Norte. Ang nasabing venue ang siya ring pinagdausan ng katatapos pa lamang na 22nd Central Mindanao Regional Athletic Association sportsfest.

Kabilang sa mga sporting events na nakalinya sa 1st Mindanao Friendship Games ay ang arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, chess, football, pencak silat, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis at volleyball.