Mindanao gets PSC backing on grassroots, sports for peace

PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann has committed to expanding the agency’s reach on grassroots talent identification, and peace promotion through sports across the regions of Mindanao.

“This year is an opportunity for us to expand our reach in Mindanao by reinforcing our grassroots sports efforts, and be the government’s instruments of peace, through sports,” Bachmann said when he hosted a dialogue with various sports coordinators in the region at the PSC Mindanao Office in Davao City on Friday, January 19, 2024.

The chairman added that the initiative has to start with the PSC improving its satellite offices and opening its doors for collaboration with regional coordinators, coaches, and trainers.

“Gone are the days that our next-generation athletes are only sourced from one region. A stronger collaboration with our stakeholders in every region will propel our grassroots development,” he added.

In a following visit to Cotabato City yesterday, Bachmann, joined by Regional Coordinator for Mindanao Coach Noli Ayo and Chief of Staff Din-Din Urquiaga, also met with the officials of the Bangsamoro Sports Commission (BSC) for a coordination meeting to strengthen the linkage of the two parties, backed by the renewing of a

Memorandum of Agreement last December.

“We’re thankful to the Chairman for this historic visit, the first of many, here in our region. The role of the PSC and BSC in the Bangsamoro region is very crucial, as we continue to use sports as a tool for peace, and harmony and prevent violent extremism,” said BSC Executive Director Salihwardi Alba.

BSC is the policy-making and coordinating body of all amateur sports development programs and institutions in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in

Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and was created on September 17, 2020, through the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 12 or “The Bangsamoro Sports Commission Act of 2020”.

The PSC chief will continue his series of visits in Mindanao today, to attend the MOA Signing between BSC and the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City and speak at the Bangsamoro Athletes’ Convocation, before making a courtesy visit to Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal Sr. in Oroquieta City on Tuesday. /