Featured image above shows the BARMM-MBHTE athletes listening to a lecturer (not in picture). (Credit for photos, BARMM Sports Czar Dr. Yusoph ‘Thong’ Amino and radio reporter Tu Alid Alfonso)
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MANILA (SDN) — A total of 497 Bangsamoro school athletes are ready to compete in the 69th Palarong Pambansa 2025 in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, Northern Luzon.
The sporting delegation from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) comes to a total of 750, including officials of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), coaches, assistant coaches, chaperones, and others.
BARMM Education Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal, head of the MBHTE, leads the delegation, which is seen, aside from being athletes and officials, as Bangsamoro ambassadors of goodwill to the Marcos country.
The young athletes — primary and secondary grade levels — are champions and other placers of the BARMM Athletics Association (BARMMAA) 2025 held on February 23 to 26 in Cotabato City’s Cotabato State University (CotSU) Oval along ever-busy Sinsuat Avenue.
In the BARMMAA 2025 closing ceremonies, Iqbal cited the importance of sportsmanship in any athletics competition.
“We’ve witnessed incredible athleticism, hard work, and dedication throughout this event. But beyond the victories and scores, the true essence of sports is in the way we play the game, how we show respect for our opponents, how we handle success with humility, and how we face challenges with resilience,” emphasized the MBHTE head.
479 Bangsamoro athletes now in Ilocos Norte for 2025 Palarong Pambansa
“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,” Iqbal added.
The Bangsamoro delegation to the Palarong Pambansa arrived in Laoag City earlier this month, anticipating a grand display of sporting events, sportsmanship, friendship, and mutually sustaining ties that bind for years to come among the athletes and the school officials who are in attendance.
Bangsamoro Sports Czar Dr. Yusoph “Thong” Amino, director of the Bureau of Physical Education and Sports Development (MBHTE-BPESD), told SDN – SciTech & Digital News in a message the delegation of the MBHTE athletes and officials represents the BARMM component provinces and cities, such as Basilan, 17; Cotabato City, 129; Lamitan City, 21; Lanao del Sur I, 28; Lanao del Sur II, 10; Maguindanao del Norte, 129; Maguindanao del Sur, 129; Marawi City, 8; and Tawi-Tawi, 26.
They will stay in the Marcos country from May 23 to June 1. The week-long sporting event opens on Saturday, May 24, at the Marcos Stadium, and closes the following Saturday, May 31, in the vicinity of Paoay Church.
Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Manotoc will host the Governor’s Night on Sunday, May 25, at the Paoay Sand Dunes for the delegations.
The Special Geographic Area (SGA) with eight municipalities did not send any representative to Laoag City.
Recall that the BARMM athletes has sought to improve their performance in the various sports events of the Palarong Pambansa or National Games this year it the MBHTE sent then to Davao City for a few days of In-House Training to motivate them to do the best of their best, as an incentive of Php100,000 for each gold medalist awaits them, said Amino.
“Do your best because it is now your time to shine and showcase your skills in your chosen sport,” the Bangsamoro sports czar said.
The 497 young Bangsamoro athletes are in the 69th Palarong Pambansa by virtue of their performance in the annual BARMMAA regional sporting competition this year participated by more than 4,000 students in the MBHTE’s 10 divisions of schools. — EDD K. USMAN (√)