by Lou Ellen L. Antonio
TUBOD, Lanao del Norte (PIA)–More than 2,000 district champions from elementary to high school levels in Region 10 join in the first clustered Northern Mindanao Regional Athletics Association Meet (NMRAA), also known as Palarong Pampook, three years after the onset of the pandemic.
There are 14 participating divisions coming from different provinces in Northern Mindanao for the NMRAA Cluster Meet 1.
Lanao del Norte province opened NMRAA Meet Cluster 1 at the Mindanao Civic Center Sports Complex on April 19. Some sports events, such as athletics, archery, football, futsal, and wushu, will be held in the province. The award ceremony will be held on April 23.
“We are glad to have the opportunity to witness the showcase of talents, skills, and sportsmanship of the young athletes who have worked so hard to qualify in these games,” said Vice Governor Allan Lim during the opening ceremony.
Meanwhile, Department of Education (DepEd)-10 Regional Director Arturo Bayucot emphasized the importance of sports for students.
“There’s a lot of values that they can really learn outside of the school and we bring them here a platform for them to find new and lasting friendships and as they treat each other they develop values we expect from them. These values are lifelong values and these are the values that they need as they journey life,” he said.
Some participants also sent their inspirational messages to their fellow athletes.
The Lala National High School All Stars, winners in the 2021 Regional and National Sports Skills Competition, entertain the audience with their exhibition skills during the opening of the Northern Mindanao Regional Athletics Association Cluster 1 Meet. (ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
“Fair play, dula lang and enjoy and keep safe. Tsada kaayo s’ya nga spots kay makahatag ug motivation (To my fellow athletes, let’s enjoy the game and keep safe. Football is a great sport because it can give motivation),” said Ron Phillip Namoc, a football player from Holy Cross High School in Bukidnon.
Rex Wagas, a wushu participant from Balo-i National High School, also encouraged his fellow athletes to not lose hope in achieving their dreams. He shared that he had been a gold medalist in the competition before. For him, Wushu will be helpful in his career, as he dreams of being a soldier.
“Padayon lang sa inyong pangandoy, bisag unsa kalisod ayaw lang mo ug undang. Makamtan ra nimo na tanan (Just continue with your dream, no matter how difficult it is, don’t give up. You will achieve it soon),” he said.
During the opening program, the Lala National High School All Stars, winners in the 2021 Regional and National Sports Skills Competition, entertained the audience with their exhibition skills.
The NMRAA Cluster 2 will be held at the divisions of Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City, and El Salvador City, April 26–30, while the NMRAA Cluster 3 will be held at the divisions of Camiguin and Gingoog City.
The NMRAA was held by cluster with the directive of Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte to ensure that the classes would not be disrupted. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
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