Triumphant Champions: Members of the Cotabato City School Division Office proudly hold their trophy high, celebrating their remarkable victory as the overall champion of the Palarong Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletic Association (BARMMAA) 2023 on May 29, 2023 at the Cotabato State University, Cotabato City. (Photo by Comenie Ali/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Cotabato City School Division Office (SDO) has achieved a remarkable feat by winning as the overall champion during the second year of the Palarong Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletic Association (BARMMAA) 2023 which took place on May 25-29.
The division office amassed an impressive total of 67 gold, 54 silver, and 47 bronze medals, securing their victory, receiving a cash prize of Php150,000.00.
Ranking the overall scores of both Secondary and Elementary categories, the following divisions earned recognition: Maguindanao II SDO as first runner-up with a cash prize of Php80,000.00; Maguindanao I SDO as second runner-up with a cash prize of Php70,000.00; and Tawi-Tawi SDO as third runner-up, receiving a cash prize of Php60,000.00.
Despite the impending threat of Super Typhoon Mawar, the organizers and participants of BARMMAA 2023 displayed remarkable determination and successfully carried out the event.
On May 29, Minister of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) Mohagher Iqbal led the awarding of trophies on and cash prizes to the winners.
Iqbal lauded the athletes’ dedication and faith, and challenged them to carry the hopes and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.
“I challenge you to bring that faith but this time please bring with you the hopes and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people,” Iqbal said.
“Make the Bangsamoro people shine in the Palarong Pambansa and in the world, Inn Shaa Allah, and show them that true Bangsamoro sportsmanship is always with love and dignity,” He added.
In the Secondary category, the winners and their respective cash prizes are as follows: Cotabato City SDO, champion (Php80,000); Maguindanao SDO II, 1st Runner-Up (Php50,000); Lamitan City SDO, 2nd Runner-Up (Php30,000); and, Tawi-Tawi SDO, 3rd Runner-Up (Php20,000).
In the Elementary category, the winners and their respective cash prizes are as follows: Cotabato City SDO, Champion (Php80,000); Maguindanao II SDO, 1st Runner-Up (Php50,000); Maguindanao I SDO, 2nd Runner-Up (Php30,000); and, Lanao del Sur II SDO, 3rd Runner-Up (Php20,000).
Special awards were also presented with trophies and a cash prize of Php20,000.00 each:
Tamontaka Central Elementary School as Best Host School; Maguindanao I SDO as Best in Saludo; Lamitan City SDO as Best in Uniform; Marawi City SDO as Most Eco-Friendly Delegation; Cotabato City SDO as Best in Records and Management; Lanao del Sur II SDO as Most Disciplined Delegation; Special Geographic Area SDO as Most Friendly Delegation.
Furthermore, the ministry recognized all the school divisions that did not secure top positions in BARMMAA 2023, awarding them a cash prize of Php30,000.00 each.
The ministry remains dedicated to improving future BARMMAA activities and providing support to Bangsamoro athletes in the realm of sports.
Dr. Yusoph Thong Amino, the Director of the MBHTE Bureau of Physical Education and Sports Development, expressed gratitude to the stakeholders involved for the successful execution of the sports competition in the city.
Amino said the achievement would not have been possible without the collective efforts of different schools’ superintendents, local government units of Cotabato City, BARMM partner agencies, ministries, offices, Cotabato State University (CSU), security sectors, medical teams, and other stakeholders. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
