Olympic dream and more Christmas wishes

It’s Christmas Day and the Saipan Tribune will try and start a new Yuletide tradition by querying the islands’ sports personalities about their Christmas wishes for their respective organizations.
Mike White, president of the Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association, was aiming for the stars when he pronounced that he would like the CNMI to be admitted to the Olympic movement. But a Christmas wish is a Christmas wish, and nobody’s faulting him for his enthusiasm. White and other sports personalities’ pronouncements are as follows:

“I wish the Northern Mariana Islands gets admitted to the Olympics. The Olympics is the pinnacle of world sport. The honor of representing one’s country or territory, along with athletes from around the world, is the highest honor to which an athlete can aspire for, and the crowning achievement of an athlete’s career. I want the athletes of the CNMI to have the chance to participate. I want every man, woman, boy, and girl in the CNMI to be able to aspire to compete for our islands. I want the people of the CNMI to be proud of everyone who has the Olympic dream and who is able to achieve it. Membership in the Olympic movement will also enable the CNMI to tap into considerable resources, both technical and financial, which will help us develop our athletes and our sports facilities for future competitions. Some people say we have only two chances—slim and none. Admittedly, it’s going to be very difficult. But I don’t like to take ‘no’ for an answer. As long as the door is open, even a crack, I’ll do my best to get us inside.”

Mike White,
NMASA president

“My wish is that we continue to expand and improve upon all of our successes with all of the island-wide youth athletics leagues so that we can continue to teach the kids about the benefits of sports in the New Year.”

Joe Mettao, DSR staff

“My Christmas wish first of all is for everyone to have a safe and happy holiday season, and that everyone exercise caution while on the roads. For the Saipan Major League, I wish that the government will continue to help us in our efforts to improve our current facilities, and that we can someday upgrade to state-of-the-art grandstands for both of the ball fields at the Oleai Sports Complex.”

Tony Rogolifoi,
SML coordinator and
Division of Sports and
Recreation director

“My Christmas wish is that the date for the completion of the Capitol Hill baseball stadium stays on schedule for the end of January or the beginning of February. It is my hope that the local government provides all of the equipment for all of the facilities in the coming year.”

Mike Borja,
Assistant District
Administrator
Little League Baseball

“My wish is that the Northern Mariana Islands Track and Field Federation receives more equipment, coaches, athletes, and volunteers in the upcoming year. I like to see the public making use of the track and field facility, and it will be even better when we get the lights installed. With them in place, it will make it easier to make my second Christmas wish come true, which is to host the 2nd Annual Micro Cup. Then more people from across the CNMI can come out and see what track and field is all about.”

Elias Rangamar,
NMITFF
developmental coach

“Well, to run a tournament is not easy. It costs you more time and financial expenses, it has a lot of preparation, planning and organizing, but overall, with the help of businesses, different non-profit organization and the community, the United Filipino Organization Basketball League has been successful throughout the years. It has been my genuine pleasure to serve not only the UFO but the community as well during these last four years. I have enjoyed serving the community through UFO’s fine members and professional officers. I wish the UFO continued success in all its future endeavors. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to all!”

Ramon Awit,
2004 UFO San Miguel Cup
commissioner

“My Christmas wish for the Marianas Table Tennis Association is increased participation so we can share the joy of playing the sport. My New Year’s wish is a good showing in the upcoming 2005 South Pacific Mini-Games in Palau. Happy holidays to everyone!”

Steven Lim,
MATTA president

“My wish is to hope that we will have more and more new bowlers to be interested in this sport, especially with the youth. I also hope that our bowlers will continue to improve and to be competitive with other Asian top bowlers.”

Jerry Tan,
Saipan Bowling
Association president

“My wish is for a CNMI youth bowler to win a medal (possibly gold) in an international competition or to bowl another perfect game. This may attract more youth bowlers, make the Saipan community aware that bowling is sport where we can excel internationally given the proper support, and make the government consider providing funding to the sport.”

Ross Zapanta,
SBA secretary

“My wish is a Deco-Turf tennis court and a mild-mannered tennis players! The Deco-Turf surface is the type used in the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows, New York. I also want more players with better manners joining our tournaments to avoid unfortunate incidents on the court. I would also like to greet everyone a Merry Christmas”

Ricky Castro,
Saipan Tennis Association
vice-president external

“My wish for the Kids TRYathlon Series is that we get more participants. Triathlon is a great sport covering three important disciplines that every kid should be able to do…swimming, biking and running. I think that all kids in the CNMI should be able to swim, and there is no excuse, as we are surrounded by water, and there is in place a great way to learn, through the Saipan Swim Club and coach Mike [Stewart]. Biking is everything a kid should do because its fun! I understand that some kids do not have access to a bike, but if they’re interested in doing a Kids TRYathlon, we can make arrangements. Running is the easiest as it requires no equipment, but a good pair of shoes. The Kids TRYathlon Series is open to all kids in the CNMI, and if they feel that they cannot do the entire event, they should at least ‘try’ a portion…we can always make arrangements to put a team together. Physical exercise is important to kids and their growth. Sports is important as it teaches discipline. Whether it be triathlon or not, as long as the kids in the CNMI are out there enjoying the great weather we have and playing outdoors (which is actually exercise for kids, but fun) instead of indoors plugged in to a television, Gamecube or other sedate activity, then we will have healthier and happier kids. Merry Christmas!”

Betty Johnson,
Kids TRYathlon coordinator

“For SAIWAI, I wish everybody good health, continue to embrace and foster friendship and understanding between participants through different walking events and welcome everybody and families to join us enjoy the nature in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and make new friends in 2005. For MATTA, I wish the organization more success and encourage those interested to try the amazing sport of table tennis. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”

Mario Espeleta,
Saipan Walking Association Inc. secretary and MATTA
board member

“I wish that there would be more corporate sponsorship in the way of entry fees or award prizes, so that people less fortunate could also join the CNMI Billiards League. For example, there is a much larger group of players who are very capable and would like the experience of playing in a competitive format, but have difficulty in finding the $35 entry fee required to participate. Corporate sponsorship in the way of prizes to the winning teams would reduce the need for higher entry fees and thereby allowing more people to join. Corporate sponsorship in these areas would go a long way in promoting the sport of billiards here in the CNMI. Thanks and Merry Christmas”

Fred Prinze,
CNMI Billiards League
coordinator

(Brad E. Ruszala)