About 4,000 athletes and delegation members from more than 41 local government units have converged in this scenic and simple coastal town to parade their entries in the biggest sports event to be staged in the region.
But besides the spirit of sporting competition that is staple in these Games, the more significant endeavor of dispelling the fallacy that Mindanao is a no man’s land is tops in the priorities of the government and its sports arm, the organizing Philippine Sports Commission.
"This is not only an event that showcases the athletes Mindanao is proud of, but the fact that Mindanao is not the Mindanao many perceive to be," said PSC chairman Eric Buhain. "President Arroyo has Mindanao high in her socio-economic agenda and the Mindanao Games is expected to contribute greatly in effecting peace, development and stability in the region.
The PSC and the hosts have aptly adopted the theme "Sports for Peace" for the weeklong games which end Oct. 24.
PSC commissioner and overall project director Leon Montemayor, a Davaoeño, stressed the significance of the games that goes beyond the sports arena:
"If sports has succeeded to bridge people of different cultures, races and religion of the world, we see no reason why it cannot also happen here in Mindanao, " he said.
Pagcor, San Miguel Corp., PCSO, Baygon, Philcom, Burlington, Bachelor Express, Air Philippines, WG&A Super Ferry, Systems Technology Information, and Samsung are supporting the event that is a priority endeavor of the government under President Arroyo’s Mindanao National Initiative or "Mindanao NATIN" program.
Represented in the multi-sports open event competition featuring 26 sports, all of which are regulars on any major international multi-sport competitions, may it be the Olympics, the Asian Games or the Southeast Asian Games, are the six regions in Mindanao, namely: Regions IX, X, XI, XII, Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and CARAGA.
Davao City is the defending overall champion but competition is expected to be tight this year with the opening ceremonies depicting the hosts‚ culture and arts to kick off the games this afternoon.
Buhain will lead the inaugural rites today together with hosts Mati Mayor Francisco Rabat and Davao Oriental Governor Ma. Elena Palma Gil, and PSC commissioners Ambrosio de Luna, William Ramirez, Michael Barredo and Montemayor.
Invited to grace the opening ceremonies are Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina and the Mindanao League of Governors to be led by Palma Gil and Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario of Davao del Norte.
Due recognition will be accorded to some of the greatest Filipino athletes led by Carlos "The Big Difference" Loyzaga and Ramoncito Campos, teammates of basketball Hall of Famer Rabat, and the PBA’s living legend Senator Robert "The Big J" Jaworski.
Other exemplary athletes to be feted are former sprint queen Mona Sulaiman and swimmer Jairulla Ambali Jaitulla, both Mindanaoans; Asia’s sprint queen Lydia De VegaˆMercado, boxing’s Arlo Chavez, and basketball’s Joaquin "Chito" Loyzaga.
A guest delegation from the Province of Ilocos Norte, headed by former Project Gintong Alay chief Michael Keon, is also participating in the games. According to Keon, Ilocos Norte is in these Games so that its preparation for the Luzon Games, which were scrapped this year, would not come to naught.
Rabat and Palma Gil said: "We see this sportsfest as an opportunity to realize our dream of showcasing our town and province’s potential as an economic and tourist hub in Mindanao."
The Mati Centennial Sports Complex is the centerpiece infrastructure, which the hosts hope will lure big events like national sports competitions, conventions, exhibits, and expositions to be held in both town and province.