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COTABATO CITY, April 10, 2026 (SDN) — All roads lead to Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, as the five-day Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletic Competition (BARMMAA) Meet 2026 starts on Sunday, April 12.
BARMMAA is the Bangsamoro region’s colorful, loud, and festive sporting spectacle pitting the 10 schools division offices (SDOs) of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) headed by Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal.
The young school-age athletes represent the Elementary and Secondary levels of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi; cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi; and the Special Geographic Area (SGA) made up of eight municipalities. They will compete for the honor of representing the Bangsamoro region in this year’s Palarong Pambansa (National Games). Champions and other placers will receive cash prizes from the MBHTE.
As this developed, young athletes accompanied by their respective school and competition officials coming from the different BARMM SDOs have started arriving in Parang where they will be staying the town’s different schools.
Among the early delegation arrivals are from the Maguindanao del Sur SDO on April 8; Lanao del Sur I SDO, Lanao del Sur II SDO, and Marawi City SDO, all on April 9; Lamitan City SDO and SGA SDO both on April 10. More are expected as this SDN Online news report is being written.
Elated by the arrivals, the MBHTE under the leadership of Education Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal warmly welcomed the delegations to the BARMMAA Meet 2026 which revolves around the theme “Stronger Together through Sports” as the young competing student-athletes are expected to display sportsmanship, humility in victory, grace in defeat, infection spirit of friendship, and characterized by strength in character.
It would be a “week-long competition, connection, and drive as delegations from the 10 Schools Division Offices of BARMM aim to earn the honor of representing the Bangsamoro in the Palarong Pambansa,” the MBHTE emphasizes.
“This annual gathering stands as a celebration of unity, excellence, and the vibrant spirit of the Bangsamoro youth. As we come together in the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie, we honor not only the talents and skills of our learners but also the values of discipline, perseverance, and mutual respect that define true champions.”
In a related development, MBHTE and BARMMAA Meet 2026 Sports Czar Dr. Yusoph “Thong” Amino told SDN Online that around 4,600 youth athletes are expected at the competition. He added that Iqbal has allocated Php1 million for the activities’ prize fund for various events aside from trophies.
He said the “event promotes teamwork and trust, instilling the values of cooperation and mutual support in achieving common goals.”
Make BARMMAA Meet 2026 as platform for inspiration
Amino added that delegations come from various backgrounds that include different tribes and traditions across all ages and abilities. “It aims to create a shared space that fosters respect, unity, and understanding among the participants.”
Meanwhile, the MBHTE expressed its deepest appreciation to the Local Government of Parang and all the education ministry’s partner agencies for lending their invaluable support in hosting the significant sporting event.
The MBHTE wished the delegates to make the BARMMAA platform as their inspiration “to strive for greatness, build lasting friendships, and embody the ideals of moral governance and inclusive development. May your journey throughout this event be marked by fair play, integrity, and excellence.”
Additionally, the MBHTE described the annual assembly of student-athletes “as a celebration of unity, excellence, and the vibrant spirit of the Bangsamoro youth. As we come together in the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie, we honor not only the talents and skills of our learners but also the values of discipline, perseverance, and mutual respect that define true champions.”
The Bangsamoro region, established in 2018 by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to implement the 2014 CAB, is made up of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi, as well as the Special Geographic Area’s (SGA) 63 barangays or villages — now eight new municipalities — that voted “Yes” in a plebiscite in February 2019 to be under the BARMM jurisdiction.
According to the Philippine Atlas BARMM has 4,404,288 people. It has 116 municipalities: Basilan, 11 municipalities; Lanao del Sur, 39; undivided Maguindanao, 36; Sulu, 19; and Tawi-Tawi, 11. Its component cities are Cotabato (the regional center and capital) in Maguindanao; Lamitan in Basilan; and Marawi in Lanao del Sur. — EDD K. USMAN (✓)