MARAWI CITY (PIA)--A delegation of the Bangsamoro Sports Commission (BSC) recently met with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) board, seeking to work hand-in-hand with the national sports agency in terms of strengthening grassroots sports programs in the BARMM.

In a meeting held at the PSC Conference Room at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, BSC Chairperson Dr. Arsalan Dimaoden presented a 12-point agenda to the PSC.

These agenda items include close cooperation on sports facilities development, health and wellness in BARMM, grassroots and youth sports, sports education, human resource development, the continuation of the "Sports for All program" through the conduct of PSC’s Laro’t Saya sa Parke (LSP), elite sports identification and support, traditional sports and games preservation and promotion, ensuring gender and equality in sports, sports linkages and collaboration, sports tourism, and sports competitions.

"It is our earnest understanding that we can utilize sports as a realization for the development of Mindanao and the country," said Dimaoden.

PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann said he agreed with the idea and pushed for the two sports agencies to work together and think of themselves as one group that cares about Filipino athletes.

"Let us find the athletes sa bawat parte ng Pilipinas (in all parts of the Philippines) and this is what I want to push in my term together with our Board of Commissioners," Bachmann said.

He encouraged the delegates to work together to build facilities not only for popular sports but also for other sports throughout the country.

"We also need to align the grassroots programs for the stakeholders, such as the NSAs, BSC and other individuals who have ideas regarding grassroots sports development in the country," he added.

PSC Commissioners Walter Torres and Olivia Coo also expressed support and suggested possible collaborations with the BSC.

"The PSC can send a team to conduct a feasibility study for the sports facilities development in the region and ask that accessibility for para-athletes be observed for the building of the facilities," Mr. Torres said.

"I offer our programs Laro ng Lahi and Women in Sports programs to be conducted in BARMM. There is a need to increase the inclusion of more girls in grassroots programs," Coo added.

A 23-person BSC delegation that included the Commissioner of Tawi-Tawi Abdulkhabir Musa, the Commissioner of Maguindanao Nu-man Caludtiag, the Commissioner of Basilan Yushoup Sario, and other important BSC employees attended the meeting with PSC. (BIO/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)