CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Young sports talents across the island have a new arena to watch out for as Lanao del Norte prepares to host the inaugural Mindanao-ONE Youth Games from April 11 to 17, 2027.
The multi-sport spectacle will bring over 7,000 homegrown athletes aged 8 to 18 to the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC) complex in Tubod. Competitors from 33 cities across six Mindanao regions—alongside guest delegates from the National Academy of Sports and Timor-Leste—will face off in 12 to 15 sporting events, including track and field, swimming, basketball, football, volleyball, archery, and combat sports.
The games mark the start of a three-year hosting streak for the province through 2029, cementing its push to become Northern Mindanao’s go-to sports destination.
“When I went there last month, I was really impressed and awed by the facilities. It’s really world-class,’’ said Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio. “We will raise the level of the Games here so that new athletes and future national athletes from Mindanao can be discovered.”
The 70-hectare MCC compound features an Olympic-size swimming pool, a FIFA-certified football pitch, a World Athletics-standard track oval, and a 5,000-seat indoor arena. A new baseball and softball diamond is also scheduled for construction ahead of the games.
For local leaders, bringing thousands of visitors to Lanao del Norte is as much about community pride and economic momentum as it is about winning medals.
“We’re very happy to host the Mindanao Youth Games. And we’re very happy to work together with the PSC to bring in better sports experiences for our athletes,’’ said Lanao del Norte Gov. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo. “The problem with LGUs is kanya-kanya. What we need is someone at the national level to give us direction. There is no leader until we finally have PSC Chairman Pato.”
Getting to the venue will also be easier for visiting teams and fans from neighboring Northern Mindanao cities. With the Panguil Bay Bridge cutting travel time between Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte, delegates traveling through Ozamiz and Tangub can now reach Tubod in minutes.
“This MYG hosting is a dream that will become a reality for our province,” said Lanao del Norte 1st District Rep. Imelda “Angging” Quibranza-Dimaporo. “I hope our countrymen will consider and put our province in their bucket list. This is the land of beauty and bounty where you will find peace, and where the people are warm and hospitable.”
Sports officials expect the venue to stay active long after the event, with plans to turn the MCC into a permanent regional training center for football and baseball.
