NYBA off and running today

Northern Youth Basketball Association president Joe Diaz has been in a lot of cardiac games and championship matches before, but all of them don’t compare to his latest challenge—delivering a speech in front of hundreds of people during this afternoon’s opening ceremony for the inaugural NYBA Tournament.

“I’m all excited about the tournament but one thing I don’t like and have always been nervous of doing is having to deliver speeches,” he said. “But this [NYBA] is all about the kids. We are starting this program for them and if I need to make and deliver a speech then that’s just what I have to do.”

The three-division, weeklong tournament kicks off today with an opening ceremony scheduled at 5:30pm at the Garapan Basketball Court. No less than governor-elect Benigno R. Fitial will be the guest of honor in the event, which would include a parade of teams and several dance and special numbers.

Aside from the House Speaker, also invited in the opening ceremony are Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, who won a second term in the Nov. 5 general elections, Rep. Ramon Tebuteb, Rep. Clyde Norita, and Rep. Justo Quitugua and representatives from NYBA sponsors DFS Saipan, Marianas Health Services, Department of Public Health, Community Guidance Center.

Special numbers would also be rendered by Garapan Rollers and Matansa Sparks players, who would perform Cha-Cha Flight, a dance-like drill for basketball.

The 2005 NYBA Tournament consists of three divisions: 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.

Teams participating in Division I are Capitol Hill, Matansa Sparks, Sugar Kings Shooting Stars, and Garapan Rollers. Making up Division II are Bwii-Bwiis, Garapan Rollers I and II, Capitol Hill, and Matansa Sparks, while teams in Division II include Bwii-Bwiis, Garapan Rollers I, II, and III, Capitol Hill, and Matansa Sparks I and II.

Divisions I and III see action tonight with Capitol Hill taking on Matansa Sparks starting at 7pm in the 12-and-under division and Bwii-Bwiis squaring off against Garapan Rollers III starting at 8:30pm in the 16-19 age group.

For more information about the 2005 NYBA Tournament, contact coordinators Jovie Omar or Elias Rangamar at 664-2502, Joe Diaz at 322-7061, or George Cruz at 287-1148.