DAVAO CITY -- Rio Olympics 2016 women's weightlifting silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz will grace the opening of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)-backed Summer Children's Games 2017 slated to open at 8 a.m. on Thursday, March 25, at the Rizal Park in Davao City.
Diaz confirmed her guesting following her recent courtesy visit to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez to hand over her Olympic silver and her competition uniforms for the PSC Museum.
Diaz, however, said that her Davao visit will just be quick as her schedule is tight with training and classes. She is continuing her college education as a scholar at College of Saint Benilde.
"Saglit lang po ako hehehe," she said, adding that she will be just be staying for one day.
Diaz also visited the city in August last year after she won the Olympic silver in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Her visit then was to receive from President Rodrigo Duterte the cash incentive of the National Government for her feat. The president also presented her to the media.
She also came here in November 2016 for a weightlifting seminar at Crossfit Madayaw.
Philippine Basketball Association Star Hotshots player Peter June Simon and Philippine Superliga Foton player Mary Grace "Shang" Berte, who both started their professional careers in Davao City, were not permitted by their teams to come for the Games' opener.
PSC Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez and Commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey will also be on hand for the entire duration of the three-day Summer Children's Games that will feature boys 12-under 3-on-3 basketball to be played at Rizal Park and Davao City Police Office covered court and girls 12-under volleyball at Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center.
The LarongPinoy will also be held at DCPO grounds.
The Summer Children's Games is part of PSC's Sports for Peace program, a brainchild of Chairman Ramirez.
The Barangay Sports Education Seminar, meanwhile, opens tomorrow at 9 a.m. at The Royal Mandaya Hotel. (PSI)