Cotabato City - Minister Mohager Iqbal of the
Bangsamoro Government's Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education
(MBHTE) declared the region's 1st athletic event a success and said it was an
addition to the Bangsamoro's list of milestones and achievements.
On Tuesday, January 21, Iqbal led the closing ceremony of the 1st
annual Palarong Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletics
Association (BARMMAA) at the Nuro Central Elementary School in Nuro, Upi,
Maguindanao.
Maguindanao II division emerged as overall champion in both elementary
and secondary levels, with a total haul of 31 and 45 gold medals, respectively.
Maguindanao I placed second overall winner at the elementary level,
with 27 gold medals, followed by Sulu with 18 and Tawi-Tawi with 9 to round up
the top four players. While at the secondary level, Maguindanao I also bagged
second place with 42 gold medals, Lamitan City with 36 and Sulu with 30.
"We are proud of your achievements. Keep soaring high," Iqbal
said as he congratulated the victorious student-athletes.
“It will be the Bangsamoro as a whole that will benefit from the
commendable performance and sportsmanship illustrated by our athletes,” he
said.
As for those who didn't win, Iqbal said, "Please do not be
discouraged. I want to emphasize that failure is the mother of success. Grab
the opportunity to compete, exert more effort, and I am confident you will be
the next winners."
4,749 student-athletes, from nine schools division of the Bangsamoro
region, participated in the week-long athletic event which run from January
16-21.
Francis J. Rabaca, 16, from Basilan division, won a gold medal in
archery. He said he worked hard for it as he wants to fulfill his father’s
dream for him – to compete in the 2020 Palarong Pambansa.
“My goal is to be a gold medalist in the 2020 Palarong Pambansa. I will
do my best to bring pride to my homeland, Basilan,” Rabaca.
Meanwhile, Rocel Aira L. Agustin, 15, a volleyball gold medalist from
Maguindanao II, said she was thankful to the Bangsamoro Government’s full
support.
“Maraming nagbago dahil dati ay wala pa gaano kaming mga sponsors.
Ngayon ay sobrang dami na pong tumutulong sa amin,” she said.
Iqbal said the education ministry will "intensify efforts to
improve academic education and sports development in all educational
institutions is the Bangsamoro region."
"Sports and physical education are essential components of the
balanced, inclusive, and relevant educational system we envisioned for our
children," he said.
Iqbal also congratulated the region's different school division
superintendents, supervisors, and other school administrators for their
contributions to the success of the BARMM's first athletic event. (Bureau of
Public Information)
