Saipan Tribune

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

White attends FISU meeting in Russia

Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association president Michael White represented the CNMI in the Extraordinary General Assembly of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) held late last month in Kazan, Russia.

According to FISU's website, White was one of the officials from the 108 member-countries that attended the forum, which aimed at introducing amendments to the FISU Constitution, particularly the eligibility rules of athletes from the 163-member nations of the association.

White is expected to brief NMASA members about the proposed and approved amendments during the group's meeting tomorrow at the conference room of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The assembly held at the Korston Mall and Hotel on Sept. 21 also discussed the latest about Kazan's preparations for the 27th Summer Universiade in July next year.
The CNMI is guaranteed two slots in the Summer Universiade, excluding a coach and one official. Swimmer Rezne Wong and biker Matthew Mancao represented the Commonwealth in the previous Games in Shenzhen, China.

Wong debuted in the 2011 Summer Universiade in a record-breaking fashion. He timed in at 31.31 seconds in the 50m breaststroke event at the Natatorium of Universiade Center, surpassing the CNMI mark (31.62 seconds) he recorded on July 28, 2009, during the 13th FINA World Championships in Rome, Italy. The CNMI swimmer broke two more national marks after he clocked in at 26.66 seconds in the 50m butterfly and 1:07.66 in the 100m breaststroke.

Meanwhile, fate was not on Mancao side in his debut in the FISU event, as he failed to finish the 156.8-kilometer road race in the Longgang Sports Center due to a crash in the first four kilometers of the event. Several other bikers also had troubles with the crowded course.

Road race and swimming are among the 28 sports to be played in Kazan next month. According to the host website, “many sports venues were built, while others were renovated and some still need to be refurbished,” and all the facilities are expected to be ready early next year.