MindanaoToday.com | Fostering character dev’t: One Bukidnon triumphs as NMRAA 2024 champion
CAMIGUIN – Prioritizing character development among student-athletes, the Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association (NMRAA) 2024 concluded with One Bukidnon emerging as the overall champion, showcasing their athletic prowess across various categories.
The event, featuring 14 competing division offices grouped into seven clusters, showcased the dedication and hard work of the athletes and organizers.
During a radio program, lawyer Candice Zennia Razon, OIC chief of the Office of the Education Service Support Division of the Department of Education (DepEd), presented One Bukidnon as the champion of NMRAA 2024, which consists of divisions from Bukidnon, Malaybalay, and Valencia. In the elementary category, One Asenso Misamis Occidental, consisting of divisions from Misamis Occidental, Oroquieta City, Ozamiz City, and Tangub City, secured the second runner-up position. The MORESGAA Grandmasters, representing Misamis Oriental, El Salvador, and Gingoog City, claimed the first runner-up spot.
In the secondary category, One Bukidnon clinched the championship. The MORESGAA Grandmasters took the first place position, while the Iligan City Volts earned the second spot.
One Bukidnon was the overall champion, accumulating a remarkable total of 100 gold medals, 90 silver medals, and 94 bronze medals, making up a total of 284 medals. The MORESGAA Grandmasters were the first runner-up, followed by the Iligan City Volts in second place.
Razon highlighted the importance of safety and health during the event, ensuring medical teams were present at all playing venues and billeting quarters. “Sa mga contact sports, naa gyud ta’y rule nga dili ta pwede magdula kung walay medical team, walay responders nga naa dinha for any incident that might happen,” she said.
(In contact sports, it is mandatory for players to have a medical team or responders present for any potential incidents.)
Razon underscored the eligibility requirements for the Palarong Pambansa, stating that gold medal winners qualify for the Palarong Pambansa, with the exception of time-constrained categories or events like athletics and swimming. She added that the Palarong Pambansa secretariat applies a qualifying time standard (QTS) for eligibility.
DepEd is optimistic about achieving higher rankings at the Palarong Pambansa, scheduled to take place in Cebu City from July 11–15. “We remain hopeful nga mutaas ang atong ranking pag-abot sa Palarong Pambansa but we will also ensure that we will give all the support sa atong mga atleta para mudaog gyud ta didto sa Palarong Pambansa,” Razon said.
(We remain hopeful that our ranking will increase in the Palarong Pambansa but we will also ensure that we will give all the support to our athletes so that we can really win there in the Palarong Pambansa.
The lawyer added that Regional Director Arturo Bayocot mentioned plans for in-house training for athletes to prepare them for the Palarong Pambansa. This aims to help the athletes adapt to their new surroundings in Cebu and enhance their performance during the upcoming competition.
The NMRAA 2024 not only celebrated athletic excellence but also reinforced DepEd’s commitment to holistic education and character development through sports, said Razon, adding that athletic meets provide a platform for student-athletes to develop important life skills and values that contribute to their overall personal growth. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)
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