MALABANG, Lanao del Sur – The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) recently kicked off its regional athletic meet here, seeing more than 7,000 resident-athletes vying for honor and representation to this year’s Palarong Pambansa.

ARMM acting Gov. Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong led the opening rites with a candid keynote message urging the athletes to exemplify sports as an “avenue for unity and understanding that transcend religion and cultural traditions as well as tribal differences.”

“If you can foster unity and sportsmanship in cultural diversity, there is no reason why you cannot achieve an impressive representation to higher level athletic meets,” Adiong told the participating athletes.

Adiong’s opening address followed immediately the ceremonial run and torch-lighting of the urn by Jamil Noor, a gold medalist and an outstanding athlete in the Palarong Pambansa 2009.

Malabang Mayor Anwar Balindong and Rep. Pangalian Balindong (2nd District, Lanao del Sur) welcomed thousands of delegates, guests, and spectators at the playfield of the Schools Division II here.

Speaking on the athletic meet’s theme “Play for ARMM, win for camaraderie in high sense of sportsmanship,” DepEd-ARMM Secretary Dr. Hamid Barra prodded all the competing delegations on the importance of sportsmanship.

“Sportsmanship is gauged not in the receipt of medals and trophies but by the best way of playing games and sports in the spirit of amity,” Barra said.

Aside from the assistance provided by his office provided for the regional convergence, Adiong said he has ordered the release of a P30,000 cash incentive for each school division that joined this year’s athletic competition.