BY KRISTINA CRUJIDO/DNSC Intern
THE 2026 Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) Meet will officially open on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m. at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex, with the local government of Tagum City serving as a co-host.
During the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps briefing held on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Jenielito Atillo, DepEd XI spokesperson, thanked Tagum City officials for hosting this year’s sports event.
The event is hosted by the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte under the leadership of Governor Edwin I. Jubahib and co-hosted by Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy.
The week-long regional sporting event will run from Feb. 23 to Feb. 28, and is expected to gather a total of 9,108 delegates. The athletes will be billeted in 13 designated quarters in different public schools in Tagum City.
“We will start at four in the afternoon, and the games will follow suit on the 23rd until the 28th,” Atillo said.
A total of 5,963 athletes will compete in 24 regular sporting events and para games. They will be accompanied by 1,108 coaches and 235 female chaperones assigned to the girl athletes.
This year’s DAVRAA introduces several additions to the competition lineup. Weightlifting is now a regular event and is officially part of the competition. Additional categories include girls’ football, secondary football, and elementary futsal.
However, not all DepEd divisions in the region will compete in weightlifting. Only Davao City, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Digos City, Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS), Mati City, and Tagum City will field athletes in the sport.
Among them, Davao City, Davao de Oro, and Tagum City are confirmed participants.
The DAVRAA Meet remains one of the biggest annual sporting events in the region, showcasing grassroots athletic talent and promoting sports development among young athletes.
