GMA to open Mindanao Games

TUBOD, Lanao Del Norte — President Arroyo is expected to grace today’s opening of the first Mindanao Friendship Games at the sprawling Mindanao Civic Center where some 2,500 athletes get a chance to show their wares for the next four days.

The President, also scheduled to visit typhoon-ravaged Camiguin, was invited by Gov. Imelda Dimaporo to deliver the keynote address in the sportsfest aimed at promoting peace and unity between Muslims and Christians through sports.

The participating athletes will represent 44 local government units spread from six regions from Mindanao.

"We hope to produce some fine athletes from Mindanao to represent the country in future international competitions through this event," said PSC commissioner and project director William "Butch" Ramirez.

"But more than that, we, in behalf of our brothers and sisters from Mindanao, would like to use this meet as a vehicle to accelerate economic development and a tool to promoting peace and unity in the region," he added.

Also invited by Gov. Dimaporo for today's opener are DILG Secretary Joey Lina, Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Jose Dureza, Bacolod Congressman and chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Monico Puentevella and the League of Mindanao Governors headed by Rodolfo Del Rosario of Davao Del Norte.

President Arroyo and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Carlos Tuason have put Mindanao as one of their high priorities in terms of the Chief Executive’s socio-economic agenda and the Mindanao Friendship Games, the biggest sporting events to be held in the region since the Mindanao Meet in the 60s, is one of the many means to do it.

"If sports has succeeded in bridging people of different cultures, races and religion of the world, we see no reason why it cannot also happen here in Mindanao," said Tuason.

Dimaporo, on her part, said the Games are meant to strengthening ties among the Mindanaons and "as an opportunity to realizing the province’s dream of showcasing Lanao Del Norte’s potential as an economic and tourist hub in Southern Mindanao."

She said that the Mindanao Civic Center, which was built at a whooping cost of P500 million, is meant to serve as the province’s centerpiece infrastructure and a venue for future competitions, conventions, exhibits or expositions.

The PSC and Lanao Del Norte will also award a plaque of recognition each to five exemplary Mindanao-born athletes – sprinter Mona Sulaiman, swimmer Jairulla Ambali Jaitulla, Olympian cager Francisco Rabat, karateka Joey Pabillore and weightlifter Jaime Sebastian – who made the country proud in past international events.

"We are just giving what is due them since they have served through these years as inspirations to our young athletes who are aspiring to make it big too in the future," said Dimaporo.