NMA to host four-day ‘Talent Identification Camp’

Orrin Pharmin is seen in the long jump event of the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games at the Oleai Sports Complex last June. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The Northern Marianas Athletics is hosting a four-day “Talent Identification Camp” every Saturday in February from 7am to 9am, starting this Saturday, Feb. 4 and will continue on Feb. 11, Feb. 18, and Feb. 25 at the Oleai Sports Complex. 

This Saturday’s event is the mid/long distance race; Feb. 11th’s event is sprints/hurdles; Feb. 18th’s event is discus/javelin/hammer/shotput throws; and Feb. 25th’s event is long/high/triple jumps.

The camp is in anticipation of the upcoming June 2023 4th Oceania Cup and Masters Athletics Championships on Saipan, the July 2023 10th Micronesian Games in the Marshall Islands, and the November 2023 Pacific Mini Games in the Solomon Islands.

The camp will be conducted by NMA development officer and coach, Elias Rangamar, NMI national athletics team coach Dr. Ron Snyder, along with some members of the NMA national team. 

Zarinae Sapong is seen in action during the 2022 Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games at tue Oleai Sports Complex last June. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Members of the camp may potentially be selected to join the national program and other camps as NMA prepares for the 2023 season. 

The camp costs $5 and includes four sessions. The camp is open to persons ages 14 and up. Interested individuals may register on-line at https://raceroster.com/events/2023/71753/nma-talent-id-camp-2023

NMA developmental officer and coach Elias Rangamar said that “Talent ID camps are designed to identify potential athletes interested in making age group and national programs. They get to be evaluated, identified, selected, then given the opportunity to develop their potential in the sport of athletics whilst competing at a high level.” 

NMI national athletics team coach Dr. Ron Snyder added “NMA is always looking for new talent to support the many different events that we must field in Athletics. In track and field alone we have 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, 3,000m, 5,000m, 10,000m, hurdles, steeplechase, discus, javelin, hammer throw, shot put, long jump, high jump, triple jump, and a range of relays. We also have Cross Country and Road Racing events.”

“Athletics, in short, has the greatest range of fitness types,” he added.

The end goal of this camp, Synder said is “We hope that we can identify future talent to grow our sports participation. Beyond that, we also believe it is important to serve the community in order to provide healthy opportunities and increase the cardiovascular, strength and flexibility of the people of the CNMI.”

For questions, email NMA secretary general Robin Sapong at rsapong@gmail.com or text (670) 788 0929.