Cotabato City Schools Division emerges as the overall champion during the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletic Association (BARMMAA) 2024 which took place in Cotabato City from May 11-16, 2024. (Benyamen Cabuntalan/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Cotabato City Schools Division Office (SDO) emerged as the overall winner, both in elementary and secondary categories on May 15, during the culmination of the Palarong Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletic Association (BARMMAA) 2024 at the Cotabato State University (CotSU) here.
Hosted by the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE), the Palarong BARMMAA is an annual athletic competition participated by various SDOs across the region.
Themed “Empowering sports for a stronger, united Bangsamoro”, this year’s regional meet was participated by 11 delegations from Maguindanao del Sur (MDS), Maguindanao del Norte (MDN), Lanao del Sur (LDS) I and II, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Special Geographic Area (SGA), and the cities of Marawi, Lamitan, and Cotabato, all competing for 23 different sports.
For the overall winners’ category, MDN SDO landed as the 1st runner-up, following Cotabato City as the champion; MDS SDO was named the 2nd runner-up while Sulu SDO was declared the 3rd runner-up.
In the secondary category, Cotabato City SDO was hailed as the champion, followed by the MDN SDO as the 1st runner-up, the MDS SDO as the 2nd runner-up, and Lamitan City SDO as the 3rd runner-up.
Cotabato City SDO was also the champion at the elementary level, followed by the LDS II SDO as the 1st runner-up, MDS as the 2nd runner-up, and Sulu SDO as the 3rd runner-up.
Other Special Awards are as follows: Best in Records Management- Lamitan City SDO; Best in Saludo- Cotabato City SDO; Best in Uniform- Cotabato City SDO; Most Friendly Delegation- SGA SDO; Most Eco-Friendly Delegation- LDS II SDO; Most Disciplined Delegation- Tawi-Tawi SDO; and Best Host School- L.R. Sebastian Elementary School.
Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal stated on May 11 that the Ministry stays committed to ensuring inclusive, quality, and accessible education, primarily highlighting a robust sports program for the Bangsamoro learners.
“We are dedicated to fostering an environment where every young person can thrive, supported by the pillars of education and sports,” Iqbal stressed.
“Your participation in events like these is a testament to the success of our commitment, and we will continue to strive for your betterment,” he added.
As previously announced, the winning Bangsamoro contenders will represent the BARMM in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City on July 6–16, 2024.
Improving access to quality and holistic education, including sports programs through the Palarong BARMMAA, is the ninth priority agenda of Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
