TRAC honors secretary general Castro

Triathlon Association of the CNMI secretary general Ricky Castro holds up the plaque of appreciation bestowed to him by the group during a going-away picnic last Saturday at one of the native pavilions in Susupe. (MARK RABAGO)

The Triathlon Association of the CNMI honored secretary general Ricky Castro with a plaque of appreciation last Saturday during his going-away picnic at one of the native pavilions in Susupe.  

Castro and his family are leaving Saipan tomorrow after making the island their home the past 26 years. They will be relocating to San Francisco, California. 

“I just want to thank my friends from TRAC and Northern Mariana Islands Cycling Federation and Saipa Tennis Association for the years of camaraderie and friendly competition,” he said.

Aside from one of the leading voices at TRAC, Castro is also an official at NMICF and used to be an avid tennis player and member and officer of STA before a persistent shoulder injury forced him to slow down.

“I’m surely going to miss the parties like these in the pala-pala, other gatherings, Saipan’s fine weather, and of course the sports events,” added the Olongapo City, Philippines native.

Castro, who was instrumental in helping TRAC become a member of Oceania Triathlon and an associate member of World Triathlon Organization, got his start in triathlon by organizing bike races first. 

“My eldest son Erico started participating in competitive bike races and I was also able to organize some bike races. This progressed to organizing a triathlon club that eventually took over from the Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation, which became inactive,” he said.

Castro said he will forever be grateful to former NMITF president Russ Quinn for giving them the blessing to take over the triathlon federation of the CNMI, which included some seed money to jump-start local triathlons.  

Castro said aside from helping TRAC become part of Oceania Triathlon and the World Triathlon Organization, he’s also proud of serving as site manager of the triathlon competition of last June’s Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022 on Rota.

Truth be told, Castro confessed that he and his family were supposed to bid Saipan adieu a couple of years earlier, but they postponed their relocation to the U.S. mainland so he can help with the Mini Games.

“Actually, we were planning to leave in 2021 but since the Pacific Mini Games was moved to 2022 I didn’t want to leave my responsibilities to the CNMI’s hosting of the quadrennial event.” 

On what awaits him in California, Castro said he’s keeping his options open, but preferably he still wants a job in the insurance industry. 

Prior to working for Trader’s Insurance for 15 years, Castro was first employed at Marianas Insurance Co.

He said he will forever be indebted to the Cabrera and Mendoza families who own Marianas Insurance and Trader’s Insurance, respectively. 

“Both families helped me a lot in my professional and personal life,” he said.

TRAC president Manny Sitchon said Castro moving off-island is definitely a big loss to the organization. 

“But people need to move on. You can’t prevent people from seeking greener pastures. His parents are already there so they will all be together again.”

“Good luck and I’m sure he will find greener pastures in the Land of Opportunity. He is still young and there’s still plenty of opportunities there.  We really want to thank him a lot because of all his contributions to TRAC and the triathlon community in the CNMI. He was critical in helping TRAC become a member of Oceania Triathlon and WTO,” he added.

Sitchon said TRAC will hold elections before the end of November to choose a new secretary general and add new officials. 

The 54-year-old Castro has three children with his wife, Marissa:  Erico Mari, Marco Paulo, and Mark Enzo.