Athletes have 5 months to prepare for Games

Only five months remain before the opening of the 2006 Micronesian Games and local sports federations are scrambling to prepare for the quadrennial event Saipan is hosting for the first time since 1990.

In Thursday’s Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association’s monthly meeting at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium conference room, sports federations that had representatives present gave the sports body an update on their preparations.

Palau South Pacific Mini Games wrestling medallist Joe Ocampo said that in sticking with his belief that members must get at least eight months of practice prior to the Games, he has already closed the tryouts for the men’s team.

Ocampo, however, explained that tryouts for the women’s team is still open and is calling on interested individuals to take part.

Saipan Swim Club coach Mike Stewart also disclosed that time standards for his team will be based on times set in the past three Micro Games, and seven females and four males have already surpassed the standards.

In baseball, acting manager Tony Rogolifoi explained that the roster should be finalized soon as the SML Fall League is already in its playoffs. Rogolifoi had earlier said the CNMI team would comprise of players from the Fall league as well as players from the major league.

Triathlon representative Dirk Sharer said he will serve as coach and player for the sport, which will hold its second qualifier this Saturday and another next month. The first qualifier was held in Rota last November.

Golf representative Jess Wabol was also on hand and said a qualifier will be held either at the end of the month or early next month. So far, only Guam and the CNMI have expressed interest in competing in golf.

Volleyball continues with its indoor tryouts and beach volleyball qualifiers (see related story on Page 39), and softball will provide its roster of players next month as its men’s and women’s leagues are currently ongoing.

Meanwhile, Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands president Mike Muna said tryouts for men’s and women’s basketball will be held at the Northern Marianas College Gymnasium beginning this Tuesday at 6:30pm. Tryouts will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays.

As reported earlier, tennis has been conducting challenge matches the past weeks and is expected to make a final cut on its men’s team soon. Five female netters took part in the challenge matches, and because the female team will consist of five players, all five would probably make the team.

Table tennis will also hold a qualifying tournament next month. However, Marianas Amateur Table Tennis Association president Steve Lim explained that MATTA is experiencing a tough time in attracting female players.