THE DAVAO City Sports Development Division (CSDD) sent off 101 athletes and coaches who will represent the city in the 12th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Friendship Games 2026.
The send-off ceremony was held on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Davao City Recreation Center (DCRC).
The BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia will run from November 23 to 27.
City Councilor Ragde Ibuyan, vice chair of the Committee on Youth and Sports, delivered the message of support from Mayor Sebastian Duterte.
“Thank you for carrying the pride and support of the Dabawenyos. Whatever the outcome of your competitions, remember to always uphold the values of respect, discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship,” Duterte said in the message.
Ibuyan thanked the coaches and officials of the CSDD, led by Mikey Aportadera, who will accompany and guide the athletes during the competition.
He said the committee will continue to support and assist the players throughout their campaign.
“We reminded our players to carry themselves with pride, show sportsmanship, and, above all, to have fun,” he said.
The delegation will carry the name of Davao City and the Philippines in the regional sports meet, which brings together athletes from the four BIMP-EAGA member countries.
The athletes will compete across eight sports categories: swimming, athletics, archery, karatedo, lawn bowl, pencak silat, badminton, sepak takraw, and e-sports.
The 11th edition of the Friendship Games took place from Dec. 1–5, 2024, in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
