Rangamar launches athletics program

International Association of Athletics Federations academy coach Elias Rangamar is introducing a grassroots program in the CNMI.

“After years of working with national elite athletes in local, regional, and international tournament, I have decided to start a grassroots program for athletics. Cultura Athletics will focus on a program model called LTAD or Long Term Athlete Development,” said Rangamar, who is also the national coach of the IAAF-affiliated Northern Marianas Athletics.

Rangamar said LTAD is designed to help prepare young people in engaging in a healthy and life-long participation in sports and physical activities and reaching their full potentials.

“The LTAD model progresses through a series of stage, beginning with what is called the FUNdamental stages. This is based on upon the building of core skills or general skills used in many sports and are developed using multi-skills approach. By cultivating a proper base of fundamental motor skills in a simple and healthy environment filled with tons of fun, kids will be energetic and encouraged to live a more active life,” Rangamar added.

The fundamental stage is for girls in the 6 to 8 age group and 6 to 9 in the boys. The last four stages are learning to train (for girls 8 to 11 and boys 9 to 12); training to train (girls 11 to 15 and boys 12 to 16); training to compete (girls 15 to 17 and boys 16 to 18); and training to win (girls over 17 and boys over 18).

“Fundamental movement skills should be practiced and mastered before sport-specific skills are introduced. The development of these skills will contribute significantly to future athletic achievements and equip young people with the confidence to participate in sports and physical activities. Too many trainers and coaches train kids as if they are adults. However, performing advanced exercises, drills, and games that are beyond a child’s structural and neurological abilities could have long term effects to their physical and mental developments,” the long-time coach added.

To jumpstart the grassroots program, Rangamar will be holding Cultura Athletics Youth Camp, beginning next week at the Oleai Sports Complex track and field facility.

The camp will run from Aug. 8 to 21 and will be for boys and girls in the 8 to 12 and 13 to 15 age groups. The camp for 8 to 12 age group will focus on developing motor skills in a simple, healthy, and fun environment. Participants will be taught movement skills through situations and games using “guided discovery.” Then for the 13 to 15, participants will learn proper warm-up routine, drills, flexibility, and training for sprints, jumps, throws, and middle-distance training. They will also discover starts, hand-offs, and racing strategies for specific events.

The camp for 8 to 12 age group will be held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4pm to 5:30pm, while sessions for the 13 to 15 division will take place every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, also from 4pm to 5:30pm. Camp fee is only $25.

For more information, contact Rangamar at eli_rang@yahoo.com or call 235-1775.