Coaches named for Micro Games

Several sport federations have officially submitted to the Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association the names of individuals who will head their teams into the Micronesian Games.

NMASA, which last month requested that sports federations submit the names of their coaches in January’s monthly meeting, received names for swimming, tennis, basketball, indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, athletics, baseball, wrestling, and triathlon during its meeting Thursday evening at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium conference room.

As usual, swimming will be led by Mike Stewart. Joe Ocampo leads the wrestling team along with coach Tatsuji Kato, Jeff Race serves as coach for tennis, Dirk Sharer leads triathlon, Rufino Aguon and Mike Muna spearhead the men’s and women’s basketball teams, Steve Lim serves as coach for table tennis, and Tony Rogolifoi serves as acting manager for baseball.

Jon Cramer will handle matters for the men’s and women’s beach volleyball teams, Nan Inthraluk will oversee the men’s indoor volleyball, and Milli Saiki will head the women’s indoor volleyball squad.

Athletics representative Robin Sapong indicated that the team will be headed by Elias Rangamar, Bobby Winkfield, or himself depending on what week—Games is two-week long—the sport will be held.

Saipan Softball Association president Ray Palacios said with the SSA leagues still ongoing, names of coaches and players have yet to be disclosed, but will be ready by February.

Golf representative Jess Wabol also indicated that a qualifier for the Games will be held either this month or next month.

Meanwhile, nine members were nominated and accepted to be on the NMASA board of directors for 2006.

Those who will be at the forefront of NMASA’s continuous push to prepare the CNMI delegation the best it could include current NMASA president Michael White, Wabol, Rogolifoi, Stewart, Sapong, Louie Wabol, Margaret Palacios, Rose Igitol, and Taula Peter.

Race and Ocampo were both nominated, but did not accept due to prior commitments and hefty daily schedules.

Next for the board is to meet and elect officers for 2006.

The Micronesian Games will be held from June 23 to July 7 on Saipan, with about 1,500-1,700 athletes and officials from around the region expected to take part.

The Games was supposed to be hosted by Yap, however, sports facilities in the state were damaged by typhoons, which resulted in the Micronesian Games Council putting the quadrennial event up for grabs.

CNMI jumped at the opportunity after learning of the availability during last year’s South Pacific Mini Games in Palau, and were granted the Games.