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Torres donates $22K to U15 hoops teams
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Posted on Oct 31 2022
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres is seen with the Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation U15 National Team, along with NMIBF president James Lee, second right, at the Office of the Governor after Torres turned over a $22,434 check to cover their expenses in the FIBA U15 Oceania Championships this month in Guam. (LEIGH GASES)
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres turned over a check worth $22,434 to the Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation U15 National Team last Thursday at the Office of the Governor.
The funds cover the boys and girls teams’ expenses in the FIBA U15 Oceania Championships in Guam this November.
Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation president James Lee, team coaches, and players of the NMIBF U15 National Team were present to receive the check.
Lee thanked the governor for his continued support for sports.
“Thank you for supporting sports in general… As an athlete, as a coach, your guidance and this administration, have always been there for sports… Definitely our governor here has always been there for us since Day 1. So, the only thing you guys needed to concentrate on this whole year was really practice and train hard to represent the NMI well. Funding is not easy, but our governor always managed to find a way to help us. So, thank you, governor.”
Before turning over the check, Torres addressed the group and said “there’s a couple of things I just wanted to ask of all of you. First, to thank your coaches. Without them, you guys cannot be where you’re at. Second, thank your parents. Thank your parents for giving up everything they can for you guys to enjoy.”
After turning over the check, Torres said “make sure you enjoy your trip. Enjoy the ride, enjoy the journey and work hard and thank you for representing the CNMI.”
The FIBA U15 Oceania Championships will be held from Nov. 21 to 26 at the University of Guam Calvo Field House. The CNMI’s U15 teams will go up against Guam, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Samoa.
The players representing the CNMI are products of the NMIBF’s Junior National Basketball Program which seeks to create a sustainable youth development program on island, with about 40 students enrolled and attending training sessions three times a week.
