Duterte opens 62nd Palarong Pambansa in Davao, encourages youth ‘to be their best’
Credit to Author: JEAN RUSSEL V. DAVID| Date: Sun, 28 Apr 2019 11:30:26 +0000
DAVAO CITY: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte welcomed 18,000 student-athletes to his hometown in the opening of the 62nd Palarong Pambansa on Sunday at the newly constructed Davao City-University of the Philippines Mindanao Sports Complex here.
Duterte opened his 20-minute speech by congratulating the local government unit of Davao and its people in hosting the annual multi-sport event for the second time since 1950.
The chief executive believed that sports was an effective avenue to instill among the youth the essential characteristic to nation building.
“Ginagawa ko ang lahat to protect the next generation especially in the law and order,” said Duterte.
“For there is no law and order in this country and for as long as there is corruption in the government, you can never expect development,” he said.
Duterte assured the athletes that the government would continue to promote physical education and other related sports programs in order for the youth to achieve their dreams.
“We will encourage our youth to be at their best,” he said.
He then called for support from the student-athletes to help the government in fighting oppression, illegal drugs, and corruption.
“Do not destroy our country. And to the foreigners, do not destroy the Philippines and do not destroy the youth of my land. Papatayin ko talaga kayo. Hindi ako nagbibiro,” said Duterte, who was never been absent in the opening ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa since he became president.
(I will really kill you. I am not joking.)
The opening rites were moved from Saturday to Sunday to accommodate the request of Malacañang since Duterte had a prior commitment on the original date as he was Beijing, China to attend the Belt and Road Forum.
Anchored on the theme “Shaping the Future through Sports,” Palarong Pambansa is the largest sports conclave in the country, with 18,000 expected athletes across 17 regions to participate in the weeklong hostilities set from April 28 to May 4.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio was not present during the opening ceremony but gave her video message to all the participating student-athletes.
Duterte-Carpio, who was in Camiguin for a special project, reminded the participants to watch out for their health and not force themselves to the extreme medical condition while competing.
She then stressed the values of excellence, discipline, teamwork, fair play, and integrity among the players.
This is the first time that Davao City will be hosting the annual competition, 69 years after it hosted the Bureau of Public Schools-Interscholastic Athletics Association Games (BPISAA), the precursor to the Palarong Pambansa.
Meanwhile, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez reminded the participants that the games were not just about the medals and accolades.
“It is about dreams coming to life. It is about sacrifice and hard work. It is where principles and values are founded. It is where the love for country is forged,” said the sports chief.
Prior to the games, a tree planting activity, Sports Heroes Day, and Larong Pinoy was held last Saturday.
This year, indigenous sports will be reintroduced in addition to the existing games to make Palarong Pambansa more special.
A total of 36 events will be played in the multi-sport event in 26 venues prepared by the local government of Davao City.
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