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Australian gov’t backs MTB
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Posted on Apr 04 2000
Majuro — The Australian Embassy in Pohnpei announced Monday approval of a grant that is giving a big boost to the Micronesian Basketball Tournament and to sports in general in the Marshall Islands.
The Australian government is providing $35,500 to the Micronesian Basketball Tournament Organizing Committee so that equipment at the national gymnasium in Majuro can be upgraded to an international standard in time for the regional competition that starts in July.
The grant to the MBT2000 Organizing Committee will cover the purchase of new glass backboards with breakaway rings, electronic scoreboards and 30-second clocks — the first time that this high quality sports equipment will be available in Majuro.
“We’re delighted with the Australian grant not only because it makes it possible for the Marshall Islands to host this regional competition, but because Marshall Islanders will be benefiting from this first class equipment for years to come,” said Giff Johnson, MBT2000 Organizing Committee chairman.
In addition to the equipment, some of the grant will be used to improve the floor at the national gymnasium and for miscellaneous equipment for the tournament which will be held from July 29 to August 7 this year.
Men’s and women’s basketball teams from Palau, Yap, Guam, Saipan, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Nauru and Kiribati are expected to compete in Majuro.
