COTABATO City School Division Office (CCSDO) has achieved a remarkable feat by winning as the overall champion during the second year of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletic Association (BARMMAA) 2023 from May 25 to 29, 2023.

The CCSDO amassed an impressive total of 67 gold, 54 silver, and 47 bronze medals, securing their victory, receiving a cash prize of P150,000.

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 P80,000; Maguindanao I SDO as second runner-up with a cash prize of P70,000; and, Tawi-Tawi SDO as third runner-up, receiving a cash prize of P60,000.

Minister of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education Mohagher Iqbal led the awarding of trophies on and cash prizes to the winners on Monday, May 29.

Iqbal lauded the athletes' dedication and faith, and challenged them to carry the hopes and aspirations of the BARMM people.

In the Secondary category, the winners and their respective cash prizes are as follows: Cotabato City SDO, champion (P80,000); Maguindanao SDO II, 1st Runner-Up (P50,000); Lamitan City SDO, 2nd Runner-Up (P30,000); and, Tawi-Tawi SDO, 3rd Runner-Up (P20,000)

In the Elementary category, the winners and their respective cash prizes are as follows: Cotabato City SDO, Champion (P80,000); Maguindanao II SDO, 1st Runner-Up (P50,000); Maguindanao I SDO, 2nd Runner-Up (P30,000); and, Lanao del Sur II SDO, 3rd Runner-Up (P20,000).

Special awards were also presented with trophies and a cash prize of P20,000.00 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 P30,000 each.

The MBHTE remains dedicated to improving future BARMMAA activities and providing support to BARMM 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. (SunStar Zamboanga)