Huge participants to show skills at PSC - GenSan IP Games

A TOTAL of 350 indigenous members from various tribes will compete with the best from the province of Sarangani and General Santos City for the two-day event in the third and final leg today of the Indigenous Peoples Games at the Acharon Sports Complex.

Members of the indigenous community are optimistic about their acquisition of accreditation where its best representatives will compete in 10 sports.

The participating tribes will show their skills and talents in 10 traditional sports namely Gamti (Pana), Fire Making, Kasing (Trompo), Skuya (Takbo), Kadang Kadang, Kmahung (Swimming Relay), Tug of War, Bangkaw (Spear Throw), Bayo sa Palay and Sudol that will be featured in the Mindanao leg of the IP Games.

At exactly 7 a.m., the traditional parade of athletes and delegations will be held with the host General Santos leading the participants that also consist of the municipalities in Sarangani that includes Alabel, Glan, Kiamba, Maasim, Maitum, Malapatan, and Malungon.

Hon. Lucio Cawayan Sr., GenSan City IPMR, will welcome the participants before the remarks of Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Matthew “Fritz” Gaston and inspirational message of GenSan City Mayor Lorelie Pacquaio and speech of guest of honor of former Senator and 8th time champion Manny Pacquaio.

This is the last gathering for the IP Games following the Visayas leg in Bago City, Negros Occidental last month. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has been organizing the IP Games since 2018 following the appeal of the United Nations Educational and Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the preservation of the cultural heritage of the Philippines and around the world.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Comm. Matthew Gaston and PSC Comm. Edward Hayco visited the office of Mayor Lorelie G. Pacquiao in General Santos City Hall in line with the ongoing third leg of the IP Games. The honorable mayor was set to be one of the guests for the opening of the IP Games. PSC Comm. Gaston, with his office staff and Technical Working Group (TWG), presented the program of the IP Games and the future plans of the city for the IP communities and other sports programs. Present also in the visit were Mayor's Executive Assistant Dave Homo, former Congressman Alberto “Bobby” Pacquiao, and Games Development Division Chief Ms. Lady Margaret Manalo.