The heart of CHAMPIONS

MORE than 7,000 athletes and officials from 11 provinces and cities in Region 11 joined the annual Davao Region Athletic Association meet of the Department of Education, which formally opened on March 19 to 24 in Mati City, Davao Oriental.

Athletes composed of elementary and high school students gave their best to win as champions in their respective events for medals and the chance to represent the region in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa on April 23-29 in Antique.

Davao del Norte athlete Francis Camacho set a record of winning the Davraa 2017 first gold medal in athletics by throwing in iron ball 9.56 meters in shotput at the Davao Oriental Sports Complex in Mati City. Dave Marcelo of Digos Trekkers stumbled and fell on the track oval in the 5,000-meter run, sustained bruises but quickly picked himself and won the gold.

"I trained for the event to go to Palaro, God answered my prayers," he said.

Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang said they had a short time to prepare for the hosting of Davraa as Davao del Sur was supposed to host the event this year. But when Davao del Sur backed out, Dayanghirang said, they saw this as an opportunity to bring the children to their city and for them to experience sports amid the city's sun and surf.

He was thankful for the cooperation of all delegation and welcomed them all to join the closing program which will coincide with the opening of the 50th founding anniversary of Davao Oriental as a province.