Agusan del norte: Nearly 300 athletes are set to participate in the Mindanao leg of the 2025 Indigenous Peoples Games, which will be held at the Buenavista Central Elementary School in Agusan del Norte from October 11 to 12.
According to Philippines News Agency, the event is organized by the Philippine Sports Commission and will feature traditional games such as pintik (arrow), bangkaw (javelin), bag-ud, sudsud (female), takyang (female), indigenous race, tug-of-war, fire making, lubok-humay, and unahik/palosebo/katkat kawayan. PSC Commissioner Matthew "Fritz" Gaston shared during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum that the local community is eagerly anticipating the event, with delegations expected to start arriving in Buenavista soon.
Gaston emphasized that beyond medals and cash rewards, the games focus on fostering camaraderie and competitiveness among indigenous communities. Buenavista Mayor Joselito Roble and Agusan del Norte Governor Maria Angelica Rosedell Amante have committed to ensuring the event's success, with participation from 11 cities and municipalities, including Nasipit, Las Nieves, Buenavista, Cabadbaran City, Carmen, Jabonga, Tubay, Santiago, Kitcharao, Remedio T. Romualdez, and Butuan City.
The Visayas leg, initially scheduled for September 27-28 in Iloilo City, was postponed due to a typhoon. Meanwhile, Gaston mentioned that the PSC is exploring options for the Luzon leg in Ilocos Norte, potentially scheduling it next month or at another time between the Batang Pinoy in General Santos City later this month and the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.
