Junior netters, soccer take spotlight

Last weekend’s headlines featured triumphs of teams and individuals, but what stood out were the big breakthroughs made by two of the most active sports federations in the CNMI—tennis and football.

Three junior players of Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Association were invited to compete in three tournaments in New Zealand. The list include Thea Minor, Rafael Jones, and Christian Miller.

The trio will be part of the ITF Pacific Oceania Touring Team and will be pitted against Kiwi and Australian players in December.

Having three players suiting up for the ITF Pacific Oceania squad was a big achievement for the NMITA junior tennis program, according to CNMI coach and association vice president Jeff Race.

“In the past we have had at most one invited to be a part of these teams, but to have three is a great testament to the hard work of these players, the sacrifices and commitment of their families and the success of the overall tennis program here on Saipan,” Race said.

Another sports federation which scored a milestone as far as its youth program is concerned was the Northern Mariana Island Football Association.

NMIFA’s program for young strikers got a needed boost when Former Chelsea goalkeeper John Whittle visited Saipan last week and shared his expertise on grassroots and youth football development to more than 40 coaches/players/parents through a one-day workshop held at the Azucena Room II of the Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan.

Whittle, who served as national development officer in South Island in New Zealand for 10 years, emphasized to the participants the importance of giving everyone a chance to play football and creating a tailor-made program for them.

“Kids, whose skills are neither develop or undeveloped, come to the field just for the fun of playing. Winning or losing, allow them to play,” said Whittle, who now works for the Asian Football Confederation as acting director of the Grassroots and Youth Department

While NMIFA is just about to start its league, the PTI caging has reached its final phase with PTI making it to the finals.

PTI claimed the first finals ticket after beating NMC, 94-90, in the semifinals of the winners’ bracket. NMC will meet defending champion Autonomous tonight for the right to face PTI in the finals.

The PTI caging is expected to conclude this week after frequent power outages forced the league to last for more than four months.

Power outages also affected the first two weeks of the Rotary caging, but all games last week were completed.

Action in the private schools’ volleyball league also proceeded as scheduled last week with Grace Christian Academy and Saipan International School in the winning end.

Joining last weekend’s winners’ circle were Butch Sublemente and Ronald Villafria, who ruled the Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation’s “Leapfrog” Race.

Villafria and Sublemente finished the 8.5-mile stretch from Paupau Beach via Kalabera Rd-Pale Arnold Rd. junction and Banzai Cliff and back in only 47.23 and 47.56, respectively.

No bikes were needed in the “Bowling Fun Day” organized by the Marianas Institute of Filipino CPAs and Accountants at the Capital Bowling Center last week, just steady arms and legs.

Saipan Stevedore showed its winning form to beat 13 other teams in the one-day tournament, which aimed to bring together members and non-members of the organization and promote camaraderie through sports.

SaiPal did not win a cash prize, but earned bragging rights for ending Shell Marianas reign in the 2008 Budweiser King and Queen of the Diamonds Modified Co-ed Slow-pitch Softball Tournament.