Mindanaotoday.com | Marawi sports tilt returns amid new normal, highlights discipline among young athletes
By: Claire Gigje
MARAWI CITY – Years after the global health crisis caused by the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has taken a great toll on the lives of the entire citizenry, student-athletes and sports managers here were elated to welcome the return of the city meet as the nation marches into the new normal.
Last held in 2019, this year’s athletic meet lasted for four days, March 2-6.
Dr. Marjanie Mimbantas Macasalong, Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s (BTA) member of parliament, affirmed the essence of conducting a city meet, underscoring that such a sports event was indeed vital not only at the community level but in nation-building as well.
He said it is with this kind of activity that both a healthy lifestyle and good education inside and outside the classroom are well promoted.
“The Bangsamoro government and the Bangsamoro Youth Commission really support programs like this. This is to show that education is not only in the four corners of our classroom. May sports din na nagsi-symbolize ng discipline (We also have sports symbolizing discipline),” said Macasalong.
Dr. Anna Zenaida Unte-Alonto, City Schools Division superintendent, stressed that this annual activity aimed to gather young players to showcase their strengths in various sports while promoting sportsmanship and camaraderie.
She emphasized that the city meet was a manifestation that in a tilt, there would always be a winner and a loser, but this would not make one totally lose because it is not the end of the world and another city meet would still happen in the next year.
Alonto also conveyed a challenge to all sports executives and handlers to help instill the right attitude among the athletes so that resentment would not bear fruit in their hearts.
“I would like to pose this challenge to all coaches, tournament managers, advisers, and teachers to further inculcate friendship, camaraderie, and discipline among our athletes, para masaya at walang samaan ng loob iyong mga hindi nanalo (so that it will be enjoyable and there is no hatred for those who did not win), it is not the end of the world. Prepare for the next city meet,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sobaida Ampuan, City Schools Division assistant superintendent, expressed her delight that this year’s sports meet turned out successful after some time of not holding it.
As such, she emphasized that it would only be proper to treat all players as victorious, regardless of the medals they bagged.
“It has been over three years since wala tayong (we did not have the) city meet. We are very glad for all of you. Kahit matalo o manalo, kayong lahat ay aming champions (Even if you win or lose, you are all champions),” said Ampuan.
Accordingly, champions of this year’s city meet shall be the representatives of the locality here during the regional meet to be kicked off in Cotabato City. (CRG | PIA-10 | Lanao del Sur)
###