‘Compete with integrity, respect your opponents’ - Gov. Edduba to student-athletes during Prov’l Meet 2025 kick-off

Tabuk City, Kalinga - Kalinga Governor James Edduba, during the opening program of the Provincial Athletic Meet on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, delivered his inspiring message to the student-athletes, encouraging them to ‘compete with integrity and to respect their fellow players’.

The Kalinga Provincial Meet, the biggest sporting event in the province, began in Bulanao, Tabuk City with a colorful parade, participated in by thousands of athletes from the seven municipalities of the province.

Each delegation was led by their respective officials, along with the coaches, teachers, and some of the athletes’ parents. An opening ceremony followed at the CARAA ground, signifying the start of the competitive events.

During the said ceremony, Governor James Edduba, leading the provincial government, urged the participants to remember that true victory is ‘not just about winning medals or scoring the highest points but about embodying the value of sportsmanship’.

 “Compete with integrity; respect your opponents… Remember that every lesson you learn here will shape you into champions—not just in sports, but in life,” he underscored.

The governor also reflected on the broader purpose of the sports festival. According to him, the event is not just a venue for showing one’s skills or talents but also an ‘opportunity for the students to make long-lasting friendships, learn discipline, and forge unity among the Kalinga communities’.

Edduba likewise seized the chance to urge the LGUs and concerned agencies to allocate more resources and facilities for athletes and coaches, adding that the PLGU is dedicated to enhancing sports infrastructure, citing the current development of the Kalinga Sports Complex, swimming pool, and various other sports facilities.

 “We are continuously improving our sports facilities to provide our athletes with the best resources to excel,” he remarked.

 Aside from the governor, various municipal mayors also attended the opening program, including Sacrament Gumilab of Tinglayan, Almar Malannag of Balbalan, and Karl Bugao Baac of Rizal, who also offered their own inspirational messages to the athletes.