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- EDD K. USMAN | X (Twitter): @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 |Facebook: SDN – SciTech & Digital News
COTABATO CITY, February 24, 2025 (SDN) — Bangsamoro Education Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal on Sunday, February 23, welcomed the delegations to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletics Association (BARMMAA) Meet 2025.
The delegations of thousands of school official officials, sports officials, and athletes represent the BARMM’s 10 divisions of schools.
He lauded “our esteemed school division superintendents, dedicated teachers, coaches, sports officials, proud parents, and most importantly, to the young and talented athletes” of the BARMM.
The occasion was the Opening Program of the regional sporting competition with nearly 5,000 elementary and high school students competing in 23 sports events from February 23 to 26. A Parade of Athletes on Sunday, February 23 kicked off the competition.
Iqbal is head of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), one of the 15 primary ministries of the BARMM government. Organizers of the competition has the theme revolving around “Championing Peace and Unity through Bangsamoro Sports”.
“It is with great pride and joy that I welcome you to the BARMMAA Meet 2025. This annual gathering of student-athletes across the Bangsamoro is more than just a competition. It is a celebration of talent, discipline, and the unbreakable spirit of unity that defines our people,” he emphasizes.
The Bangsamoro education chief noted the significance of the sporting event’s theme, saying it puts in a nutshell what the meet hopes to achieve that goes beyond the competition “but even in tbe broader mission of the Bangsamoro government.”
In his Inspirational Message at the Opening Program, after thousands school officials and elementary and high school athletes from the region, Iqbal described sports as “powerful equalizers” the bridge variations in language, ethnicity, and background.
“Through sports, we strengthen our advocacy for inclusive education, ensuring that no Bangsamoro learner is left behind — not in the academics, not in leadership, and certainly in the pursuit of athletic excellence.
“We firmly believe that every young person, regardless of their economic status or geographical location, deserves the opportunity to develop their skills in the classroom or on the playing field,” the head of the MBHTE says.
In another part of his speech, Iqbal shared what he said are “the most important values that sports instill in us.”
These are:
- 1st, discipline and hard work
- 2nd, resilience in the face of challenges
- 3rd, teamwork and camaraderie
- 4th, respect and sportsmanship
- 5th, perseverance and the drive for excellence.
Iqbal, who wears many hats in the decades of the Mindanao peace process, took the opportunity to express his thanks to and laud the school division offices, teachers, coaches, and sports officials for their dedication and commitment to the wholistic development of our athletes.”
He did not forget either the parents and guardians of the athletes’ journeys, saying they are the backbones of their sporting lives.
Iqbal assured that the MBHTE remains “steadfast in our mission to provide quality, accessible, and inclusive education for every Bangsamoro learner,” adding that the ministry recognizes “importance of sports in shaping well-rounded individuals and instilling values that will prepare our youth for future challenges.”
On the other hand, he challenged the BARMMAA Meet 2025 participants, the schools, officialas, the athletes to “improve our overall ranking in Palarong Pambansa” which will be staged this year in Ilocos Norte, Luzon.
In MBHTE’s part, Iqbal assured its continuing “steadfast in our mission to provide quality, accessible, and inclusive education for every Bangsamoro learner” in recognition of the key role of sports in shaping well-rounded individuals, instilling values in preparation for the challenges that lie ahead.
“We will continue to support programs and initiatives that promote sports development BARMM, ensuring that our young athletes receive the training resources, and opportunities they need to excel not just within the region but also on the national and even international stage,” Iqbal promises.
Winners in the regional meet will represent the Bangsamoro region to the Palarong Pambansa 2025.
According to a report by MBHTE Director General for Basic Education Abdullah P. Salik, Jr., the delegations from the region’s different school divisions are:
Basilan
Head of Delegation: SDS Dr. Tim U. Sanchez, SDO Basilan
No. of Delegation Officials: 467
No. of Athletes and Coaches: 407
Total Delegation: 555
Lamitan City
Head of Delegation: SDS Dr. Myra B. Mangkabung, CESE, SDO Lamitan City
No. of Delegation Officials: 66
No. of Athletes: 264
No. of Coaches: 56
No. of Assistant Coaches: 7
No. of Trainers: 4
No. of Chaperon: 16
Total Delegation: 413
Lanao del Sur I
Head of Delegation: SDS Dr. Shahanee M. Sumagayan, SDO Lanao del Sur I
No. of Delegation Officials: 70
No. of Athletes: 330
No. of Coaches: 40
No. of Assistant Coaches and Chaperon: 39
No. of Principals: 468
Total Delegation: 947
Lanao del Sur II
Head of Delegation: SDS Dr. Rubina M. Macabunar, SDO Lanao del Sur II
No. of Delegation Officials: 480
No. of Athletes and Coaches: 515
Total Delegation: 995
Maguindanao del Norte
Head of Delegation: SDS Dr. Alma M. Abdula-Nor, SDO Maguindanao del Norte
No. of Delegation Officials: 120
No. of Athletes: 478
No. of Coaches: 109
Total Delegation: 707
Maguindanao del Sur
Head of Delegation: SDS Norie M. Mamalinta, Al-hadja, SDO Maguindanao del Sur
No. of Delegation Officials: 85
No. of Athletes and Coaches: 546
Honorary Official/s: 1 (Atty. Cyrus E. Torrena, Provincial Administrator)
Total Delegation: 632
Marawi City
Head of Delegation: SDS Dr. Anna Zenaida A. Unte-Alonto, H.C., City Schools Division of Marawi City
No. of Delegation Officials: 145
No. of Athletes and Coaches: 392
Honorary Official/s: 2 (Representatives from the Office of the City Mayor Hon. Majul U. Gandamra)
Total Delegation: 539
Special Geographic Area (SGA)
Head of Delegation: SDS Dr. Edgar S. Sumapal, SDO Special Geographic Area
No. of Delegation Officials: 15
No. of District Heads: 10
No. of Technical Staff and Other Committees: 127
No. of Athletes and Coaches: 394
Honorary Official/s: 13
4 Members of the Parliament
1. Hon. Mohammad U. Antao
2. Hon. Aida M.Silongan
3. Hon. Kadil M. Sinolinding
4. Hon. Bailinang S. Mantawil
8 OIC Mayors
1. Hon. Duma M. Mascud – Kadayangan
2. Hon. Norman C. Inalang – Kapalawan
3. Hon. Ismael” Boy Hassim” S. Mama – Ligawasan
4. Hon. Arnal “Nayang” M. Timan – Malidegao
5. Hon. Anwar Z. Saluwang – Nabalawag
6. Hon. Demat K. Pedtamanan – Old Kaabacan
7. Hon. Badrudin A. Ebrahim – Pahamuddin
8. Hon. Abdullah P. Abas – Tugunan
1 Administrator (Hon. Butch P. Malang)
Total Delegation: 559
Tawi-Tawi
Head of Delegation: SDS Dr. Lermalyn J. Tidal, SDO Tawi-Tawi
No. of Delegation Officials: 172
No. of Athletes: 382
Honorary Official: 1 (Engr. Zayeed Aimeer M. Matba, Provincial Sports Officer)
Total Delegation: 555
Cotabato City
Head of Delegation: OIC-SDS Dr. Bai Rojana M. Sinsuat, SDO Cotabato City
No. of Delegation Officials: 83
No. of Athletes and Coaches: 551
Honorary Official/s: 1 (Hon. Mohammad Ali “Bruce” D. Matabalao, City Mayor)
Total Delegation: 634
The athletes are competing in 23 sports events. (♡)