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BANMI in search of sponsors for MBT
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Posted on Oct 23 2005
Officials of the Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands are currently working relentlessly in prepping the CNMI for the hosting of the 2006 Micronesian Basketball Tournament, and expressed the need for financial assistance from the businesses sector.
This according to BANMI official Abner Venus, who said Saturday evening that during the association meeting last Wednesday, officials discussed the issue of getting assistance from companies to help shoulder the cost of hosting the event.
“We’re currently looking for businesses who are interested in assisting through being corporate sponsors,” Venus said. “This is a big event, and we need to get the ball rolling.”
The MBT was originally scheduled for next month, however, it was pushed back due to lack of response from other countries.
Only two other countries aside from the CNMI had responded to the invitation to compete in the tournament, which was originally scheduled to be held from Nov. 20 to Nov. 26 on Saipan.
The tournament has been postponed and moved to January, with BANMI vice president Elias Rangamar earlier citing that financial problems may be a key reason why other countries were not able to commit to playing in November.
The tournament is open to men’s and women’s teams from Guam, Saipan, Palau, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, and Kosrae. Players competing in the tournament must be under the age of 21 years.
Two men’s teams from Saipan are currently being assembled, with Rufino Aguon coaching the CNMI Junior Nationals and Joe Diaz heading the Rotary All Stars.
