McDonald’s Saipan-NMA partnership reaches a decade

McDonald’s Saipan officials turn over the ceremonial check donation to Northern Marianas Athletics officers for the 2014 McDonald’s/PSS All Schools Championships during a ceremony at McDonald’s Middle Road yesterday. In the photo, from left, are a McDonald’s crew, NMA president Ramon Tebuteb, McDonald’s general manager Marcia Ayuyu, McDonald’s president Joe Ayuyu, and his son Joe Ayuyu Jr. (ROSELYN B. MONROYO)

McDonald’s Saipan president Joe Ayuyu, together with his wife Marcia and son Joe Jr., handed over the $3,000 check to NMA president Ramon “Ray” Tebuteb and coach Elias Rangamar during a brief ceremony at McDonald’s Middle Road yesterday morning.

“Time flies so pretty past and we would like to thank McDonald’s for their continued support to our program,” Elias Rangamar said.

“We almost decided not to hold this year’s tournament because the track is in bad shape, but because of the assistance of some people, including Mr. Paul Ackerman, we were able to fix these problems,” Rangamar said.

The All School meet, which will run from May 8 to 10 at the Oleai Sports Complex, is one of the longest-running competitions in the CNMI and the older Ayuyu vows to continue backing up the event for elementary, junior high, and high school student-athletes.

“I believe this is a strong program and a lot of kids are participating every year,” said the McDonald’s president, who also introduced his son to the program yesterday. “One day we will pass the torch to him and he has to know that this program is important to his dad.”

Marcia Ayuyu added her husband’s heart is with the youth and he loves supporting activities that benefit them. She also encourages parents and teachers to support their children and students in this kind of activity.

As for the younger Ayuyu, who will be seeing the competition for the first time, he commends the athletes and their coaches for taking time out to train and join the on-going qualifying tournaments and the competition proper next month.

“I commend the hard work they put into the tournament and I am looking forward to seeing them in the field next month,” the young Ayuyu said.

Meanwhile, Tebuteb said McDonald’s Saipan is a critical part of the All Schools competition, which is NMA’s grassroots program.

“McDonald’s is part of the foundation of the program that without its strong support, the foundation will be weak and fall. We are forever grateful to McDonald’s Saipan because it supported us without hesitation 10 years ago,” said Tebuteb, who was challenged by the older Ayuyu to a sprint race.

“One day, I will go out there in my running shoes and race against the congressman,” the smiling McDonald’s Saipan head said.

The All School’s meet will have qualifying tournaments in run, jumping, and throwing events until the event of this month before schools battle for the age group championships next month.

The Top 8 best records (running events) will earn entries to the All Schools meet’s high school and junior high divisions, while in the throwing and field events, students who will make it to the Top 12 will make it to the tournament proper. In the elementary category, only the Top 2 in sprints events in each zones will qualify, while the two best times from the combined zones (A, B, and C) will gain slots to next month’s competition. In the middle distance, throwing, and jump events, the Top 3 from each zone will make the cut, along with the Top 3 from the combined zones.