NEARLY 700 students who competed in the Kadayawan-Davao City Athletics Open at the University of Mindanao (UM) Oval Track from Aug. 3 to 4 are primed to become professionally trained athletes.
In an interview at the UM Matina Campus Oval track on Aug. 3, Davao City Track and Field and Association president Kenneth Sai said the event aimed to continue developing young athletes in Davao City as well as to level up the competition to keep their progress flowing.
It will also help the young athletes to be ready and build their confidence in competing in bigger competitions.
“Kay lain lain man ang ilang makalaban so ang ilang development ug ang competition naga taas pud. So di na sila kailangan mu adtog laing lugar para mu compete, naa na diri,” he said.
Sai also said that the event also helps develop grassroots where athletes at the age of 12 and below are Davao City exclusive.
“Mao na tung gina exclusive siya para naa gyud silay chance na maka dula diri and then later pag musaka na sila silang edad, 13 above na, maka compete sila sa open,” he said.
He added that the Kadayawan-Davao City Athletics Open was conducted in preparation for future elite competitions. The Davao City Athletics Festival conducted last March 23 to 24 helped train and prepare athletes to compete in the Davao City Athletics Festival (DAVRAA) and the Palarong Pambansa 2024.
The Kadayawan-Davao City Athletics Open was participated by 41 teams from Luzon, Visayas, and mostly from Mindanao with the majority of the competing athletes being 17 under.
The activities held at the Kadayawan-Davao City Athletics Open included Jumping, Track, and Throwing similar to the Davao City Athletics Festival.
