NMIBF launches Mini Basketball, Basketball for Good programs

A participant in the SSS Summer Sports Camp performs basketball drills, which the Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation is conducting as part of its Mini Basketball and Basketball for Good programs, last Tuesday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Contributed Photo)

The Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation is bringing the sport closer to the CNMI youth anew with the launching of its Mini Basketball and Basketball for Good programs.
The programs are similar with initiatives of FIBA Oceania and the International Basketball Foundation, which encourage federations affiliated with them to deliver basketball programs that would increase participation in the sport and help develop healthy and contributing members of their communities.

To kick off the two programs, the NMIBF has partnered with the Tan Siu Lin Foundation and the Saipan Soccer School, which are the lead organizers of the Summer Sports Camp 2011. The summer camp started last July 6 and will run until July 30 with basketball as one of the four sports being offered to participants.

NMIBF director Irish Pagarao, who co-leads the Mini Basketball and Basketball for Good programs with Marlyn Lumabi, conducts the basketball sessions of the camp at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium of the TSL Sports Complex from Monday to Friday, from 10:30am to 12pm. Five players from NMI Rollers—Chioni Dela Cruz, Ervin Villarin, T.J. Factor, Kyu Aldan, and Nobet Hocog—have volunteered to assist Pagarao in teaching children in the 12 and under age group the basics of basketball. Between 20 to 25 players are attending the camp every day.

“I love it here, I get to play with a lot of kids. I’ve been wanting to learn basketball, but I did not have a lot of chance to play because I was busy with school. Now that we are on school break, I am happy that I am able to play,” said William S. Reyes Elementary School student Francisco Faimaw.

Darwin Barbo and Jun Estolas, who are regular figures in the CNMI basketball leagues, brought their sons Percy and Kian to the camp and are beaming with pride seeing their children playing the sport they love.

“They used to see us play, now it’s the other way around. I am happy that he picks up the sport I am passionate with,” Estolas said.

“As parents we are glad to see programs like this, as they teach our children not only about basketball, but as well as values, such as teamwork and discipline,” Barbo said.

After the summer sports camp at the TSL Sports Complex, NMIBF’s Mini Basketball and Basketball for Good programs will move to outdoor basketball courts in various villages in the CNMI.

NMIBF plans to conduct basketball clinics every Saturday of October and November at the basketball courts that have been transformed by public and private organizations. The NMIBF is looking to partner with government leaders, groups, and establishments in the outreach programs to villages.

“We are excited with our Mini Basketball and Basketball for Good programs, as we want to reach out to as many youth as we can. For over a year, we’ve seen limited basketball and other sports activities so through these initiatives, we want to get back on track and in the long-term build a strong grassroots program,” NMIBF president James Lee said. (PR)