Previous Story
Saipan to host Pacific Rim Tournament
|
Posted on Apr 24 2002
By SHAN SEMAN
Staff Reporter
On Saturday, May 3, some 40 teams will take part in the 1st Annual Pacific Rim Youth Basketball Invitational, which will include teams from the CNMI, Guam and Palau.
Teams from all over Micronesia are welcomed to take part in the three-day event, which will end on Sunday, May 5 with an award ceremony sponsored by the Governor’s Office.
The tournament has been divided into two divisions, with Division I for players 12-15 years of age, and Division II for players 16-18 years of age.
Eighteen teams from Guam and Saipan and eight from Palau have already confirmed to take part in the event. Ten more teams from Guam, Rota, and Tinian have also shown interest in joining the tournament.
Tournament spokesperson George Cruz was shocked with the number of teams that have shown interest in the event. “Because of the amount of teams, we’re going to have to hold the games at several sites. The Marianas High School Gym and outside basketball courts, the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, the Civic Center and the Chalan Kanoa Basketball Court will all be used for the tournament,” he said.
Cruz also added that the purpose of the tournament is to educate and bring the youth of the Pacific Rim together.
“It is a great way to begin a dialogue with everyone,” he said. “It is also a chance for anyone in the public or private sector who deals with youth prevention – alcohol, drugs, etc. – to come out and meet with the kids.”
Just several weeks ago, six all-star teams from the Northern Marianas Islands, Guam and Palau squared off in the 26th Annual Marianas Invitational Basketball Tournament.
The Youth Affairs Office, Office of the Governor, the 13th CNMI Legislature and Pacific Trading Company sponsor the tournament.
Registration deadline is on Friday, April 26. For more information, contact George Cruz at (670) 234-9026, or e-mail him at MANHOBEN 02 @ Hotmail.com.
