SPORTS BRIEFS

Pacific Games second qualifier today

Refaluwasch Golf Association president and Pacific Games qualifier coordinator Jess Wabol announced that the second qualifying round for the Pacific Games (formerly South Pacific Games) is set for today, Feb. 25, at the Coral Ocean Point golf course.

He said check in time for the qualifier is 11:30pm with tee time set an hour later at 12:30pm. Jess Wabol is again inviting women players to join the qualifying rounds so that the CNMI could send a women’s team for the quadrennial event to be held in Apia, Western Samoa.

Lady duffers that want a shot at making the team should pass the four-year residency requirement set by the Pacific Games Council.

For more information about the Pacific Games qualifiers for golf, contact Wabol at 288-1129.

Badminton demonstration today at Ada Gym

A demonstration of the Olympic sport of badminton will be held today, Feb. 25, beginning at 5pm at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Badminton enthusiasts, players, and interested individuals are urged to attend the event. Membership is open to all.

A meeting will also take place before the demonstration where the planned classification of players and schedule of the tournament will be discussed. Suggestions that will help the group organize will be welcomed during the meeting.

Badminton is played in more than 150 countries worldwide. There are also badminton federations in the Pacific island nations of Nauru, Fiji, Cook Islands, Norfolk Islands, and Western Samoa.

The International Badminton Federation also recently adopted the rally point system, which makes badminton matches faster.

Badminton is immensely popular in Asia and Europe and it became a full competition sport in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Badminton is also one of the 31 sports being considered in the 13th South Pacific Games in 2007 in Apia, Western Samoa.

Palau, through the Palau Paradise Lions Club, is also organizing an open badminton doubles tournament.

For more information about the local badminton being organized, call Jonathan V. Perez at 234-9797, 234-6341, or 287-9443 or email at jonperez13@gmail.com or Joe Mettao at 664-2503 or jomettao@yahoo.com.

9-ball and 8-ball tournaments at Top Pool Bar

Top Pool Bar is inviting billiards players of all shapes and sizes to its 9-ball tournament every Saturday and 8-ball tournament every Friday.

Saturday’s games start at 8pm with the two hours prior to the competition reserved for practice (two tables). Entry fee is $10 with the winner taking hope $100, runner-up $50, and third place free entry in the following week’s contest.

Top Pool Bar’s 8-ball tournament every Friday also begins at 8pm. The hour before the games are reserved for practice (two tables).

There is no entry fee and the winner walks away with $50, second place an hour-long free practice, and third place gets 30 minutes of free practice.

The 9-ball competition uses a single elimination format, while the 8-ball tourney is a double-elimination affair.

For more information about the 9-ball and 8-ball competitions at Top Pool Bar, call Zheng Jian Qing at 233-6999 or 287-7676.

Isla Triathlon calls to Saipan

The Guam Isla Tri will be held on March 11 beginning at the Merizo Pier on Guam.

The triathlon will consist of a 1.5-kilometer swim course, a 40-km bike course, and a 10-km run course around Merizo village, towards Inarajan, and onto the finish.

The cost to participate in the race is $75, which includes pre and post race dinner, T-shirt, swim cap, race bag, and USA Triathlon one-day license of $9 per person.

Guam Isla Tri offers teams the chance to compete in the race. The team rate of $210 is good through Saturday, March 4, but late fees increase the cost of the individual and team registration to $100 and $300, respectively.

For more information about the Guam Isla Tri, visit the event website at eteamz.active.com/2004islatriathlon/.