COTABATO CITY — Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) passed on Tuesday, March 16, the Resolution No. 356 commending Al-Basher Buto for his outstanding feats in both national and international chess championships, and providing support for his future development, during its Session No. 55 at the Bangsamoro Government Center, in Cotabato City.
The resolution was introduced by principal authors members of the Parliament Atty. Rasol Mitmug, Jr., Atty. Laisa Alamia, Suharto Ambolodto, Engr. Baintan Adil-Ampatuan, Amilbahar Mawallil, Rasul Ismael, and Engr. Don Mustapha Loong.
“One of the goals of the Bangsamoro Sports Commission [BSC] is to actually develop young athletes in the Bangsamoro,” Atty. Mitmug said.
Buto is the the first and youngest Bangsamoro master chess player.
The young Cainta-based Maranao chess player, who traces his roots from Marawi City, has participated in about 102 chess tournaments since the age of five and has achieved many awards in different competitions including scoring a gold medal in the 13th Asian Schools Chess Championship in China, and received three individual and two team gold medals for the overall crown in the 8th Asean Age Group Chess Championship in Malaysia in 2017. Buto also also won a trophy at the National Group Chess Championship in Cebu in the same year.
“Aside from giving support for the future development of our athlete, we should (also) give due recognition and incentive to the winning athletes especially those who win in the international field,” Atty. Jose Lorena said during the interpellation.
Atty. Omar Yasser Sema emphasized the importance of extending support to athletes in order to retain them, and avoid what has happened in the past athletes of the Philippines due to lack of support.
As stipulated in the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) Act, the BYC should extend and provide support and assistance to deserving youth and youth organizations, including scholarship grants.
The Bangsamoro Government, through the Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), the BSC, and the BYC, has committed to provide financial support for Buto’s education, training and participation in both national and international competitions as a representative of the Bangsamoro region and the Philippines. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
*Originally published by the Bangsamoro Information Office (https://bangsamoro.gov.ph/news/latest-news/bta-extends-support-to-10-year-old-chess-master-al-basher-buto/)