Davao City’s athletes and coaches achieved a historic milestone by emerging as the overall champions in the Brunei Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and Northern Territory (NT) Friendship Games. The prestigious international event was held from November 29 to December 6, 2024, in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
The Davao City contingents clinched an impressive 82 medals, forming the bulk of the 102 medals won by the Philippine A representation. This remarkable feat marks the first time that the Philippine A team, Davao City, and the Davao Region secured the overall championship title since the inception of the BIMP-EAGA games in 1996.
Michael Denton Aportadera, head of the Davao City Sports Division, lauded the historic achievement, highlighting the dedication and teamwork displayed by the city’s delegation. “This victory is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our athletes and coaches. It’s a proud moment for Davao City,” he said.
The 110 athletes and coaches from Davao City brought home an impressive medal haul, consisting of 28 golds, 34 silvers, and 20 bronzes. According to the official medal tally, the city excelled in various sports disciplines:
- Athletics: 21 medals
- Archery: 5 medals
- Badminton: 2 medals
- Sepak Takraw: 3 medals
- E-sports: 1 medal
- Karatedo: 3 medals
- Swimming: 42 medals
- Pencak Silat: 5 medals
The BIMP-EAGA +NT Friendship Games serves as a premier platform to foster cultural exchange and camaraderie among participating nations, including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the Northern Territory of Australia.
In recognition of this outstanding achievement, the 20th Davao City Council honored the 110 athletes and coaches on Tuesday. The council commended their exceptional performance, noting the significant honor and pride they brought to Davao City.
The victory not only underscores Davao City’s athletic prowess but also highlights the region’s potential as a competitive force in international sports. As the city celebrates this historic win, it sets a new benchmark for future participation in the BIMP-EAGA +NT Friendship Games.
