Another venue for youth to excel in basketball

For quite sometime now, several coaches involved in youth basketball on Saipan have been trying to establish another venue for players under the age of 19 years in hopes of improving the state of the sport in the Commonwealth.

The idea will soon become a reality as the newly formed Northern Youth Basketball Association announced Wednesday that it will host its first league this October.

NYBA official Joe Diaz, known by many as the head coach for the Garapan Rollers, said the league is tentatively set to kick off on Oct. 10, and extends an invitation to teams from Garapan, Navy Hill, Puerto Rico, Capitol Hill, Kagman, Tanapag, Achugao, San Roque, As Matuis, and Marpi to register for the association’s inaugural competition.

The league consists of three divisions, with Division I featuring youths from nine to 12 years of age, Division II for kids 13 to 15 years of age; and Division III for cagers 16 to 19 years of age.

“This is another opportunity for the kids to improve on their skills,” Diaz said. “Even for those that have never played basketball, this is another opportunity for them to learn the game.”

Diaz and fellow NYBA official George Cruz also disclosed that the first five teams to register in each division will be provided free uniforms. Registration is open and currently ongoing.

Entrance fee of $100 is also required and teams must also supply age verification documents for each player in the roster.

As with many other leagues in the Commonwealth, one key to hosting the youth league is to promote the sport in hopes of guiding youths to bettering their understanding of the game, both physically and mentally, while also promoting the importance of fair play, sportsmanship, building relationships, and physical fitness.

Diaz added that the NYBA is already making contacts with game officials in preparation for the league, and is inviting anyone interested in assisting through volunteering as a coach or playing a role in organizing the league.

For more information or to pick up a registration form, contact Diaz at 322-7061, Cruz at 234-5562 or email at homanhoben@hotmail.com, Jovie Omar at 664-2502 or email at jvomar@yahoo.com, or Ester Sablan at 287-5783, 287-6866, or email at estersablan@yahoo.com.

Teams who already have a registration form must complete the form and fax to Cruz at 234-5560.