Education Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal cited “sportsmanship” as “truly at the heart” of what transpired in this year’s regional athletics meet.
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COTABATO CITY, February 26, 2025 (SDN) — A familiar face — the Cotabato City Schools Division Office (CCSDO) — again emerged the Overall Champion in the BARMMAA Meet 2025 held on February 23 to 26.
Athletes of the CCSDO took home the overall crown by virtue of its winning the Elementary and Secondary Categories, besting nine other SDOs representing the various components of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that competed in the Athletics Association (BARMMAA) sporting event.
For winning the Elementary and Secondary Categories, city athletes also took home a total of Php160,000, giving a total cash prize winning of Php310,000.
Nearly 5,000 young athletes participated in the 23 sports events of the regional meet hosted by CCSDO and the city, the capital of the Bangsamoro region.
Still in the Overall Category, the Division of Maguindanao del Sur took the 1st Runner honors with Php100,000 cash prize; the Division of Maguindanao del Norte the 2nd Runner Up Php75,000; and the Division of Tawi-Tawi is at 3rd Runner Up and Php50,000.
In the Secondary Category, the winners are its the Division of Cotabato City taking Php80,000; 1st Runner Up is the Division of Maguindanao del Sur, Php65,000; 2nd Runner Up, the Division of Maguindanao del Norte, Php50,000; and 3rd Runner Up, the Division of Tawi-Tawi, Php30,000.
For the Elementary Category, Division of Cotabato City, Php80,000; Division of Maguindanao del Sur, Php65,000; Division of Maguindanao del Norte, Php50,000; and Division of Tawi-Tawi, Php30,000.
What makes special Cotabato City SDO athletes’ win is that they are also the double defending champions in BARMMAA Meet 2023 and 2024.
Organizers of the Bangsamoro region sporting event led by the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) headed by Education Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal, also came up with Special Awards, and the winners, each receiving Php25,000, are:
- Most Discipline Delegation — Special Geographic SDO
- Most Friendly Delegation — Marawi City SDO
- Most Organized Delegation — Tawi-Tawi
- Cleanest, Greenest, and Most Eco-Friendly Delegation — Lanao del Sur SDO
- Best in Saludo Delegation — Maguindanao del Norte SDO
- Best in Uniform Delegation — Lamitan City SDO
- Best Host School — Notre Dave Village National High School
In his Closing Remarks at the awarding ceremonies here at Gymnasium of the Cotabato State University (CSU), the education chief of the Bangsamoro region was left awed by the athletes’ performances while fighting for honors and the chance to represent the BARMM in the forthcoming Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte, Luzon — discipline, orderly, sportsmanship, etc.
“We’ve witnessed incredible athleticism, hard work, and dedication throughout this event. But beyond the victories and scores, the true essense of sports is in the way we play the game, how we show for respect pir opponents, how we handle success with humility, and how we face challenges with resilience.
“Sportsmanship is about more than just following the rules; it’s about showing respect for one another, lifting each other up, and recognizing that each participant here is part of a larger community
It’s about playing with integrity, treating your opponents with kindness, and accepting both victory and defeat with grace,” Iqbal emphasizes.
He could as well be saying BARMAA Meet 2025 was a grand display of unity, friendship, and sportsmanship. (♡)