TASA cancels all sports competitions

Following the first cases of COVID-19 on Tinian, the Tinian Amateur Sports Association cancelled all competitions under its purview.

“We have canceled all events—tee ball/baseball, softball, and volleyball—under TASA until further notice,” said TASA president Jose Kiyoshi.

Aside from the cancellation of ongoing leagues under the Tinian Softball Association, Tinian Volleyball Association, and Tinian Baseball Association, Tinian Basketball Association earlier postponed its championship game in the Island-wide Men’s Bud Light Basketball League.

Kiyoshi said it was unfortunate but they have to follow the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s directives to control the surge of the coronavirus.

Kiyoshi

“There’s always going to be a positive and negative attitude. Let’s just be safe, get your COVID-19 vaccine shots, follow the 3 W’s, and if you don’t need to be out and about please stay home. Especially the man’amko,” he said.

TABA was supposed to hold its do-or-die championship game last Friday, Dec. 3, between Team Kio and Rampage at the Tinian Multi-Purpose Gymnasium. It was to be preceded by the third place game between Team CNMI and Devil Dog Warriors. Now, both games have been put off to a still undetermined later date.

In related news, Kiyoshi said Star Marianas Inc.’s decision to stop inter-island flights between Tinian and Saipan will also have a profound impact on the island’s sports activities, especially the four Tinian players currently trying out for the CNMI National Baseball Team for next year’s Pacific Mini Games.

He said Justin Sablan, Peter Cepeda, Bradley Lizama, and Bing Sablan were given leave by the Saipan Baseball League to return to their families for Thanksgiving, but due to unavailability of flights back to Saipan have been stuck on Tinian for more than a week. Good thing though that rain cancelled all practice sessions last week.

“They came back and practice was canceled due to rain. According to SBL president Jay Santos practice will resume on Dec. 6 as scheduled. Star Marianas cancelling flights did effect their scheduled return and they are now actively working on charting a boat ride to Saipan,” he said

The TASA president said no flights coming in and out of Tinian has a bigger impact on the economy and day-to-day activities of the island and pales in comparison to the inconvenience sports is experiencing.

“I am dumbfounded that none of Tinian leadership have come to talk about the Commonwealth Ports Authority/Star Marianas issue. This a major setback for our people on Tinian,” he said.