In photo: Mayor Inojales celabrates with officiating staff of the provincial chess competition
The first-class town of Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental tallied an 86 gold-31 silver-31 bronze medal haul in a display of dominance to wrap up the general championship of the 2025 provincial games championship on Tuesday.
A jubilant Mayor Juanito “Kulot” Inojales attributed his town’s victory to the full support provided by the local government unit of Governor Generoso.“We did not hesitate (in providing our athletes the support they needed,” he said. “The results speak for themselves.”So dominant were the host’s performance their total gold haul of 86 medals eclipsed the total 74 medals collected by the municipality of Lupon, which came in runner-up with 25 golds, 24 silvers and 25 bronzes.In third place was the municipality of Manay which produced 17 golds, 17 silvers and 33 bronzes for a total of 67 medals.
This is was the second time in a row Governor Generoso captured the championship, having accomplished the feat last year when it was hosted by the municipality of San Isidro.Over-all in both the elementary and secondary division, Governor Generoso stamped its class by winning 41 golds and 15 silvers in swimming.It also lifted 22 golds in dance sports events in both divisions. Johannah Cassiopeia Presente proved a revelation in chess by topping the individual standard category after leading her team to four other golds in the blitz and rapid events.Badminton also produced five golds for the hosts. The other golds came from track and field events, baseball, long jump, tennis and triple jump.
In the ParaGames, Governor Generoso’s bets accounted for six golds, seven silvers and one bronze to lead the field.The rest of the standings, included Baganga in fourth with 83 medals (16-39-28), Banaybanay 69 (14-24-31), Cateel 50 (14-19-17), San Isidro 52 (10-20-22), Caraga 44 (8-9-27), Boston 16 (7-1-8) while the town of Tarragona brought up the rear with four silvers and three bronzes with no luck in gold.
Participating teams praised the host town for providing appropriate venues as well as fitting accommodation for the duration of the games.Chess coaches said it was the first time chess competitions were played in an air-conditioned venue after the local government unit allowed the use of the function hall of the municipal tourism complex as tournament site.
The renovated athletic oval of the Sigaboy Central Elementary School also received praises for its centralized location and proximity. (Jimmy K. Laking)
