MISO tournaments on hold

Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization’s tournaments for the 2015-2016 school year are on hold due to the significant damage sustained by the Marianas High School Gymnasium from Typhoon Soudelor.

Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organizations is putting on hold competitions, such as the boys volleyball league, for the 2015-2016 school year until further notice due to the unplayable Marianas High School Gymnasium, which sustained considerable damage when Typhoon Soudelor struck Saipan last month. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

“I can say that the facility (gym) will be off-limits throughout the remainder of the school year to both students and the public due to safety issues. In regards to MISO activities this school year, we are currently holding off all programs until further notice,” MISO executive director of operations Nick Gross told Saipan Tribune.

MISO usually kicks off the boys volleyball league and girls basketball league this month, while the boys basketball and girls volleyball competitions are originally scheduled to start in January. However, with the unavailability of the MHS Gym, volleyball and basketball games may be shelved this year, while the fate of other school competitions hangs in the balance.

“Our current concern is to put all resources toward getting the school year started and assisting the community in our struggle to rebound from the destruction caused by the typhoon. We are hopeful that we will be able to piece together a sports calendar for some of the school year, but we are currently unable to provide a timeline of events to be held and the season/tournament format,” Gross said.
Student-athletes and the public may not be able to use the MHS Gym as portions of its roof were blown off, according to MHS principal Cherlyn Cabrera. She added that insulation on the roof also sustained damage, while the synthetic rubber floor is starting to have bubbles because of the rainwater that flowed down the “open” gym.

“The equipment inside the gym is also beginning to rust. There is really a need for a big repair work to get the gym back to its normal operation,” Cabrera said in a telephone interview with Saipan Tribune yesterday.

The MHS principal, however, said there is no timeline yet for the repair works at the gym.

“Right now we are in the process of making the assessment on the extent of the damage. Engineers and electricians will come in too, to check the damage and help us in preparing the report that we will be submitting to proper authorities,” Cabrera said.

Cabrera said they are coordinating with the Public School System Capital Improvement Project and FEMA to address the needed repair works at the MHS gym, which does not only host sports competitions, but also houses school and community activities on Saipan. The $2.4-million facility was completed in 2001 through the partnership of the PSS, Department of Public Works, Philippine Goods, Inc., and the Efrain F. Camacho Architects and Engineers. It has three classrooms, three physical fitness workout areas, one weightlifting room, lockers rooms, and showers.