Mindanao rich source of sporting talent

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Carlos D. Tuason expects the first Mindanao Sports Summit opening in Davao City today to serve as a catalyst in the emergence of a new generation of sports heroes and heroines from the region.

"Mindanao has been a rich breeding ground of talent in the past, producing some of our outstanding athletes over the years," said Tuason. "We believe that the Sports Summit will be a vehicle in accelerating this development."

Among the former standouts that Tuason cited who all came from Mindanao were former track star Mona Sulaiman, once hailed as Asia’s fastest woman, javelin thrower Erlinda Lavandia and swimmer Jairulla Jaitulla.

Mindanao has also produced former world boxing champions Rolando Navarette and Manny Pacquiao, Tuason added, aside from amateur boxers Danilo and Arlan Lerio and divers Zardo Domenios and Sheila Mae Perez.

The Lerio brothers Domenios and Perez were all veterans of last year’s Sydney Olympic Games.

"We are proud that Davao has spawned top divers like Domenios and Perez who have also given Mindanao nationwide attention by becoming among the select few who have competed in Olympics," said commissioner William Ramirez, a native of Davao who has been tasked to organize the two-day gathering.