By Teofilo Garcia, Jr./PNA
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The 336 Sulu delegates to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletic Association (ARMMAA) meet have been encouraged to do their best in the annual games, which will kick off in Basilan province on Monday.
This year’s ARMMAA will be the last before the current ARMM is replaced by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in the January 21 plebiscite.
The last ARMMAA will be held in Sumisip, hometown of ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, in Basilan.
The Sulu delegates were given words of encouragement by officials from different government agencies during the send-off ceremony held around 4 p.m. Thursday at the Department of Education (DepEd) compound in Barangay San Raymundo, Jolo, Sulu.
Among those who attended the send-off were Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu and the Army’s 11th Infantry Division commander; Mohammad Fadzarul Abdula, Sulu Action Coordinating Center executive director; and officials and representatives of DepEd and the police.
“This is the first time that the Sulu contingent for the ARMMAA was given a send-off to encourage them to do their best during the competition,” Pabayo said.
He said the delegates were transported to Mahubo port in Patikul, after the send-off, where they boarded a navy vessel to Isabela City, Basilan. They arrived in Basilan on Friday.
The Sulu delegation consists of athletes from the towns of Talipao, Patikul, Indanan, Jolo and other municipalities in Sulu.
They will compete in various categories — badminton, basketball, chess, Sepak Takraw, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, swimming, football, baseball, and softball.
“Engaging young Suluanons in friendly sports competitions will accord them an opportunity to reach out and harness their skills. The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) will continue to support any initiative of the local government and the stakeholders that will benefit the young generation of leaders in Sulu,” said Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Westmincom chief.
