Sports
Davao City to finalize line-ups to participate in Arafura Games ’09
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Jan 8, 2009 - 9:53:29 AM

By Moses P. Billacura

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 8 (PNA) -- Davao City Sports Council President and City Councilor Peter Laviña with fellow city councilors Susabel Reta and Rachel Zozobrado bared that the city will be finalizing the line-up of players to join the country’s contingent to compete in the coming Arafura Games 2009 to be held this May 9 to 17 in Northern Territory, Australia.

In a meeting Wednesday night presided by the Philippine Sports Commission led by Chairman William Ramirez along with Philippine Consul General for Northern Territory Australia Hon. John Rivas, the bi-annual Games was presented in a bid to invite the Philippines-Davao City delegation again to join nine-day sporting spectacle.

Lavina said the RP-Davao City contingent ranked 11th overall in 2007 in athletics, boxing, cycling, football, table tennis, lawn tennis and tenpin bowling.

He said in this year’s edition, the RP-Davao City delegation will likely to see action in judo, athletics, cycling, golf, table tennis, swimming, boxing, karate and sepak takraw.

Aside from the Games, Consul Rivas said officials from the participating countries will also rekindle their rapport with Northern Territory authorities in terms of business such as trade and industry.

“The Arafura Games is a gateway for Northern Territory Australia to its neighboring countries. To showcase what Australia can offer in terms of culture, sports, business, recreation and education,” Rivas said.

A Home Stay Program will also be set for respective delegations sporting a fiesta-like atmosphere during the Games which is accredited by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), he said.

“The venues are ready to host the games with some 4,000 athletes and officials from Southeast Asia and maybe some from Europe are expected,” Rivas assured.

Meanwhile, the PSC Chairman Ramirez bared that the RP delegation will have to set its delegation to the Games in a bid to surpass its previous ranking.

“We have to send worthy athletes during the Games,” Ramirez said. (PNA)