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By EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech and Digital News
COTABATO STATE UNIVERSITY, Cotabato City, May 30, 2023 (SDN) — Hardly had the adrenaline of the over 4,000 BARMMAA Meet athletes simmered down when Bangsamoro Education Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal challenged them to perform their best in the coming Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City, Metro Manila.
“My first challenge is to the athletes who invested so much time, effort, and sweat…to bring glory to their hometown.
“Now, I challenge you to give your best, but this time…bring with you the hope and aspiration of the Bangsamoro people, make the Bangsamoro people shine in the Palarong Pambansa, and in the world, in sha Allah (God willing), and showm them the true Bangsamoro sportsmanship…Sulong (Forward) Bangsamoro, Sulong MBHTE, Sulong BARMM,” Iqbal exhorted the athletes from the region’s 11 divisions covering various schools.
The regional athletes who competed in 22 sports in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Athletic Association (BARMMAA) scholastic multi-sport heard loud and clear their education minister’s challenge.
Palarong Pambansa (National Games) will be held in Marikina City on July 29 to August 5. Before BARMM athletes can participate they have to go through a qualifying stage in Davao City.
In this year’s Palarong Bangsamoro held on May 25 to 29 in various venues in this city, the host division, Cotabato City, grabbed the Overall Championship crown with 67 gold, 54 silver, and 47 bronze medals, giving it a total haul of 468.
Aside from an imposing trophy, the Overall or Grand Champion took home Php150,000 cash prize.
Coming in after Cotabato City is Maguindanao II Division as 1st Runner Up with its 50 gold, 55 silver, and 41 bronze medals. Trophy and Php80,000 came with the ranking.
Maguindanao I Division — 33 gold, 52 silver, and 57 bronze medals — took 2nd Runner Up honors, worth Php70,000 and a trophy.
For the 3rd Runner Up, the honors belonged to Tawi-Tawi from the island component areas of the Bangsamoro region. It’s worth Php60,000 and a trophy.
The education minister’s challenge also went to all the officials and coaches of the MBHTE divisions, to stand behind the athletes and give them the best support to become champions not just in the BARMM but also in the Palarong Pambansa.
Iqbal’s second challenge is for all the school officials “to instill in our athletes that the true leader is someone who stands and learns from defeat and values humility, and winning, of course, and the glories that we achieve here”.
“And, finally, in pursuit of Moral Governance (under the leadership of theMoro Islamic Liberation Front), I would also challenge myself, the whole MBHTE, and all the division superintendents and all members that next time we should improve the Islamic code of dressing of course.”
Iqbal said what he saw during the regional meet was good enough but as the BARMM pursues Moral Governance the Islamic code of dressing during the event can still withstand improvements. “We have to make sure that we observe Islamic dressing.”
Also a Member of Parliament (MP), Iqbal hastened to add that Christians are not covered by the requirements on Islamic code of dressing. This he made clear to allay any misinterpretation.
In his remarks at the BARMMAA Closing Ceremony held at CSU Grandstand, he again thanked all the delegations as well as members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Marines, and the Army of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for providing security to the estimated over 8,000 delegates (including more than 4,000 athletes) from MBHTE’s 11 scholastic divisions.
Thanking the school superintendents and coaches as well, Iqbal made special mention of Dr. Yusoph Thong A. Amino, director of the Bureau of Physical Education and Sports Development (MBHTE-BPESD). He is practically the sports czar of BARMMAA Meet 2023.
On his part, Amino returned the compliment.
The BARMMAA sports czar thanked Iqbal, MBHTE Deputy Minister Haron Meling, Director General for Basic Education Abdullah P. Salik, Jr., Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao, the superintendents, the men in uniformed, the medical teams, and all the other stakeholders who in one way or another contributed to annual event’s success. “Maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyo (Thank so much to you).”
Amino said, “When everything starts well, it ends well.”
The MBHTE sports director noted that BARMMAA 2023’s conduct was very challenging because of the tons of preparation, not to say the weather induced by Super Typhoon Betty (international name: Mawar).
“But we survived,” he emphasized.
“We admit that we also have shortcomings, but these will be our springboard to plan for our next BARMMAA to improve more. Hoping your experiences here in Cotabato City, especially all the good things, will be treasured as you go back to your places,” said Amino.
An estimated over 8,000 delegates, more than 4,000 athletes represented the 11 scholastic divisions of MBHTE, such as Basilan, Cotabato City, Maguindanao I, Maguindanao II, Lamitan City, Lanao del Sur I, Lanao del Sur II, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Special Geographic Area (SGA). (/)