BPinoy in DavNor
DAVAO del Norte and not Dumaguete City will host the 2016 Batang Pinoy Games sometime in November.
This was bared to Sun. Star Davao by Davao del Norte provincial sports coordinator Giovanni Gulanes and Ronnel Abrenica, executive assistant of Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez, in separate Facebook chat interviews yesterday.
Gulanes said although Abrenica called him up Wednesday afternoon, they will still wait for the official communication coming from the PSC.
"Third or fourth week of November daw," Gulanes said.
Abrenica confirmed this, saying, that the Batang Pinoy (BP) and the Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission National Games (PNG) will both be held in Davao del Norte.
He said, "Naa man gud prior agreement ang Davnor and PSC regarding the hosting of the PNG and the BP."
Specific dates of the two multi-sports competitions, however, have yet to be finalized as Abrenica said, "Schedule will also be reset to an earlier date kay arun di magconflict with BIMP (so as not to be in conflict with the BIMPEaga Friendship Games)."
Chairman Ramirez announced during the opener of the National Consultative Meeting held Sept. 22 at the PSCPhilsports Arena that the PNG and BP Games will be hosted by Dumaguete City on Dec. 1 to 5 and Dec. 8 to 13, respectively. In a copy of the grassroots and Sports for All program calendar of activities for 2016 and 2017, Dumaguete as venue of both competitions was labeled as tentative.
Abrenica said it was overlooked, considering PSC's earlier agreement with the provincial government of Davao del Norte.
"Na-overlook ra (It was overlooked)," Abrenica added.
Gulanes said Davao del Norte and PSC reached an agreement during an inspection meeting held last July by the PSC technical team headed by PSC Commissioners Charles Raymond A. Maxey and Arnold Agustin. Both were then joined by
Abrenica, Engr. Eduardo Clariza, Architect Noel Elnar and PSC planning and program department's Alona Quintos. Gulanes said the province is excited to host the Games. Aside from the sprawling multi-million Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum City, he said atrium of the new City Hall and Robinson's can also host some events.
The tennis courts and football pitch will have to be refurbished though.
The provincial government, according to him, will also "encourage owners of boarding houses, houses, apartments, inns, etc." to accommodate delegates as the province is short of hotels.