Phl Tribes Participate in Inaugural World Indigenous Games in Brazil

Athletes from Philippine tribes showed their mettle and made new friends from other tribes from all over the world as they participated in the inaugural World Games for Indigenous Peoples which ran from October 20 to November 01 in Palmas, State of Tocantins, Brazil.

The event, also billed as the “Indigenous Olympics,” was formally opened on October 23 by the Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Jose D.R. Burgos, along with Third Secretary and Vice Consul Eric P. Valenzuela and Embassy Interpreter and Political/Economic Assistant Rosa Maria F. Candido, was on hand to lend support to the Philippine athletes.

Led by Col. (Ret.) Antonio DL. Tamayo, Jr., Second Vice President of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Chairman of POC’s Sports for All Committee and the Indigenous Tribal Games, the Philippine Team saw four of its six athletes compete in the semifinals and finals of their respective events. The games attracted 2,000 participants from 20 countries including more than 20 tribes from Brazil alone.

Mr. Jason C. Balabal of the Igorot Tribe and Mr. Jun Ablong of the Aeta Tribe both placed 6th in the finals of spear throwing and archery, respectively. Mr. Elvis Julius also competed in the finals of spear throwing while Mr. Dumlao Naval reached the semifinals in archery.

The next edition of the World Games for Indigenous Peoples will be in 2017 in Canada.  

Source: www.dfa.gov.ph Date accessed: 05 November 2015