BY ASANGAN T. MADALE
CHIEF MINISTER AHOD BALAWAG EBRAHIM formally opens yesterday the 2nd Bangasamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletic Association (BARMMAA) Meet 2023 held in Cotabato City, with the theme”Sustaining the gains of peace and unity through sports”, the Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education top officials said.
In his speech, Minister Ebrahim reminded all the participants to do their best and never stop dreaming big.”I extend my
Congratulations to all of you. The fact that you are able to represent your division, you are already winners,” said Chief
Minister Ibrahim
MBHTE Minister Mohager Igbal told reporters that over 7,000 delegates including athletes, coaches, technical officials, and school personnel were from the 11 schools divisions in the region.
Minister Iqbal said these athletes will be vying over 22 sports competitions which include Archery, Arnis, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Boxing, Chess, Basketball, Billiards, Football, Futsal, Paragames, Pencak Silat, Sepak Takraw, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling, and Wushu.
It was learned that the MBHTE held the first BARMMAA Meet in January 2020. However, due to the pandemic, the annual sports event was postponed for two consecutive years.
For his part, Mayor Bruce Matabalao expressed his excitement as he welcomed all the delegates in Cotabato City, the Crown Jewel of Mindanao.
“After the 2023 BARMMAA Meet, the match does not end at the sound of seven, at the signal of the banging, or stepping on the finish line. May you use everything you have learned here to overcome the challenges you face,” the mayor said in motivation.
A “BARMMAA 2023 Meet” official screening the credentials of the MSU-ILS atheletes as a requirement in accordance with the standing policies formulated by the MBHTE and Sports Commission. – (Contributed photo).
The regional sports competition aims to showcase the abilities, sportsmanship, and camaraderie of Bangsamoro learners.
According to MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal, he dreamed that the Bangsamoro will be recognized in sports and fitness in the future in the arenas in the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and the world.
“We want to see a boxing world champion like Manny Pacquiao, basketball stars in the PBA, volleyball champions in the V-League, chess grandmasters, medal winners at the Southeast Asian Games, at iba pang magagaling na atleta na mula sa Bangsamoro,” he added.
Meanwhile, Senior Minister Abunawas Maslamama underscored that the BARMM should explore in creating sports-related programs that would benefit and support all athletes in the region.
The awarding of the winners of the BARMMAA Meet will be on May 29, according to sports coordinators.
In the case of the MSU-ILS -Integrated Laboratory School athletes and coaches representing Marawi City for Palarong
BARMMAA, passed the regional screening and accreditation, MSU-ILS Assistant Dean Intesar T. Aba-Conding said.
