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Sarangani Olympeace: IMT beats MILF in basketball finals

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ALABEL, Sarangani (MindaNews/26 April) – The International and Local Monitoring Team (IMT/LMT) dominated by four points its close opponent Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) team, 54-50, in Mindanao’s first OlymPeace basketball championship held here Thursday (April 25).

Both teams got tied in the first quarter but IMT/LMT struggled to take the lead in succeeding quarters and ruled the game from there on.

The OlymPeace is the first-ever friendly athletic competition in Mindanao played by different teams from Sarangani’s peace stakeholders like the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Moro National Liberation Front, MILF, International and Local Monitoring Team, provincial government and tri-media from General Santos City.

The IMT monitors the implementation of the Agreement on Peace between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and MILF.

Peace program officer Jocelyn Kanda explained it was the “inspiration of partnership” that made the OlymPeace possible. Working closely with the military, the MNLF and MILF inspired the Kalinaw Sarangani Unit which Kanda heads to hold the OlymPeace, reportedly the first yet in Mindanao.

The OlymPeace, she said, “promotes harmonious co-existence. This is one act of promoting culture of peace” in Sarangani.

The OlymPeace was part of the April 23-25 Musabaqah at the Capitol grounds attended by some 4,000 guests and delegates from the 49 Islamic schools in Sarangani.

This year’s Musabaqah or intramurals was held to develop sportsmanship among Muslim youth through academic and athletic competitions. (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

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