The Philippine Sports Commission and the Municipality of Salcedo in Ilocos Sur expressed their hundred-percent readiness for the inaugural leg of the Indigenous People’s Games this year.
The IP Games’ technical working group from the sports agency made a courtesy visit to Municipal Mayor Ninya Grazielle-Itchon to iron out the final details for the smooth staging of the games, which is specialized in promotion of traditional practices and establishment of harmony among indigenous communities.
The lady town leader informed the PSC team that all logistics needed are in place to achieve a safe staging of the games and give all the indigenous participants the excellent experience of engaging into sports.
The games will feature traditional sports namely patalunton match, kadang-kadang relay and individual race, pika (javelin), lippay battle, gabbo, sinangduan, binnurang-itan, bekang (archery), sunay spin challenge, and banga relay to be played out in Salcedo Central School where 269 participants are already registered for showcasing their strength, as of writing.
“We are totally ready for this year’s IP Games. We thank the LGU of Salcedo for helping us spread the agenda of PSC for the sake of indigenous communities using sports,” said IP Games project head Elias Samorin.
A total of 14 participating towns from Ilocos Sur will be at the centerstage of the games namely Cervantes, Gregorio del Pilar, Lidlidda, Suyo, Banayoyo, Burgos, Galimuyod, Nagbukel, Quirino, Salcedo, Sugpon, Alilem, San Emilio, and Sigay.
The playing venue is just a walk away from the Salcedo Municipal Hall, and beside the St. Joseph Parish Church that enjoys the backdrop of the portion of a scenic view from the Cordillera Central Mountain Range.
IP Games is one of the staple projects of the agency in partnership with the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and National Commission for Culture and the Arts, which was inaugurated in 2018 at Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
The 2024 edition of the games will commence on April 19, to be spearheaded by oversight Commissioner Matthew ‘Fritz’ Gaston, and will also feature Indigenous People’s Forum and Photo Contest.
The Photo Contest is open for all Philippine-based photographers, amateur or professional, who are willing to capture moments limited only during the opening ceremony and game proper of the games, taking in courtesy the ethics and limitations in covering IP members.
Three winners will be hailed in which a monetary amount of P5,000, P4,000, and P3,000 will be given to the champion, first runner-up, and second runner-up, respectively.