INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur—Bad weather did not stop officials and athletes from 10 schools divisions in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao from pushing on with Monday’s opening ceremony of the Palarong ARMM Athletic Association (ARMMAA) at the Mindanao State University campus here.
As in previous years, it started with contingents showcasing the culture of their respective provinces in a colorful motorcade and parade of athletes.
“The annual ARMMAA has helped nurture the overall development of the region’s best and young athletes, allowing them to hone their skills in sports and imbibe discipline and self-confidence,” said ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman in welcoming the delegates.
He considered the sports event an opportunity to foster understanding and camaraderie among students in ARMM.
Regional Vice Gov. Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman and ARMM Education Secretary Jamar Kulayan declared the annual sports fest open with the ceremonial banging of a gong and the release of pigeons.
Tawi-Tawi Gov. Nurbert Sahali, last year’s host, turned over the ARMM sports banner to Mayor Fahad Salic of Marawi.
The athletic competition includes archery, arnis, badminton, baseball, softball, swimming, table tennis, billiards, boxing, chess, sepak-takraw, wushu, wrestling and volleyball.
Kulayan said the ARMMAA was the biggest sporting event of the region, budgeted at P10 million with almost 6,000 participants, counting both officials and athletes.
He said the winners will represent ARMM in the Palarong Pambansa scheduled in May in Laguna.
“I am glad we are able to hold this sporting event and help bridge gaps and unite for change and reform,” Kulayan said.