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DYS, MCS successfully hold sportsfest
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- Participants in the 2018 CNMI Church League Sportsfest pose for a photo at the conclusion of the event. (Contributed Photo)
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- Team Mount Carmel players pose for a photo after defeating Team San Jose Tinian in the 2018 CNMI Church League Sportsfest at the MCS court last week. (Contributed Photo)
The Division of Youth Services and Mount Carmel School hosted the 2018 CNMI Church League Sportsfest at the MCS court from July 11-14.
The sportsfest held a variety of activities for children and young adults to take part in, such as basketball, ultimate Frisbee, and volleyball.
In the competition, the church parishes of Mount Carmel, San Jose, San Jose on Tinian, Santa Remedios, Kristo Rai, St. Jude, San Vicente, and San Roque formed a team for basketball and volleyball activities.
As for the ultimate frisbee competition, only four teams joined the tournament—San Jose Tinian, San Antonio, Kristo Rai, and Mount Carmel.
Coordinator Gerald De Guzman said they’ve been holding the sportsfest annually to remind the parishes they’re one big family.
“The purpose is to bring the churches and community together for an event of sportsmanship and camaraderie,” he said.
For the results, Mount Carmel bested San Jose, Tinian in the final basketball match 99-63. In volleyball, San Jose defeated San Jose, Tinian, 15-10. San Jose, Tinian also took home the ultimate frisbee trophy by overcoming San Antonio in the finals, 11-7.
On July 11, San Jose, Tinian teams playing for each varied sport matchups arrived on Saipan and settled in the Aquarius Beach Tower for the night, showcasing their island pride.
Tinian resident Manuel Quitugua recounts the pressure on standing as a different islander. “I felt that representing my island and my church was a great experience once again for my second year. It [was] nerve-wracking performing and participating in a different island, even if I did join the year before,” said Quitugua
He then added, “At the end of the day, it’s the sportsmanship and friendships you make along the way.”
Jayrald Mercene, representing the Mount Carmel team, expressed his perspective on this year church league, “This helps the youth community by bringing in kids and young adults together to make friends through playing sports,” he said.
During the noon activity, Guzman also decided to organize special contests like the obstacle course and eating contest just to entertain the youth.
According to the registration results, a total of 241 people, including Tinian residents, signed up to participate in the sportsfesr. Additionally, Guzman believes the audience comprised over 200 people.
