After Palaro, what’s next for DavNor?

 TAGUM CITY, Philippines – There are 2 days left before the 2015 Palarong Pambansa comes to a close here in Davao del Norte, but the region is already gearing up on hosting other major sporting events in the future.

“It is our continuous dream (hosting other major sporting events) and we have the facilities to do it,” said Davao del Norte assistant provincial administrator Sofonias Gabonada Jr. on Thursday, May 7.

“Ayaw naming matulad sa tadhana ng ibang sports complex na hindi na napakinabangan after ng Palaro,” he said. (We don’t want to suffer the same fate as that of other sports complex that are no longer being utilized after hosting the Palaro.)

Gabonada added that Davao del Norte has a very comprehensive sports program which they think can continually develop their athletes for future competitions.

The ongoing Palarong Pambansa is the largest grassroots sporting event in the Philippines that aims to develop the potentials of the youth to become responsible and globally competitive citizens.

‘Best Palaro ever’

“What else can we say? We have prepared everything for this Palaro and ever since our goal is to make this the best Palaro ever,” Gabonada said.

Except for the incident of black rice bugs attacking the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex last weekend, all things are falling into place in terms of security measures and organization.

“Every day we are getting impressions that we are living to that dream of hosting this Palaro and being the best Palaro host ever,” Gabonada added. 

Meanwhile, beach volleyball was played as a demo sport for the first time in the 58-year history of the national games.

“We ask DepEd to include it [beach volleyball] as a demo sport, knowing that the Philippines is an archipelago composed of many islands,” said Gabonada.

“It is our intention also to make it as a regular sport.” – Rappler.com