NMA recaps glory of 2023

The Northern Marianas Athletics had a “very successful” 2023 with events on and off island.

NMA president Ramon Tebuteb said he cannot rate on a scale how 2023 was for the organization, but that “Hiccups are always anticipated. Safety is No. 1 in the scale.”

The highlights of the year, he said, was the CNMI’s first-time hosting of the 4th edition of the Oceania Cup and Oceania Masters Championships last June. He said the event “highlighted the challenged athletes (special ability athletes) and our Masters folks from the Pacific region.”

He said, “Unlike the Pacific Mini Games in which the CNMI hosted and funded in 2022, all expenses at these Championships were funded [through] Oceania Athletics Association and our business partners in the CNMI.”

A tier above that, said Tebuteb, is the “record-breaking feat by distance athlete Tania Tan at the recent 2023 Solomon Games.”

On what to look forward to this year, Tebuteb said it’s submitted to the Northern Marianas Sports Association its required annual calendar and maintains its course-based plans. “NMA especially aligns its goals and objectives to our regional OAA and World Athletics strategic world plan focusing on more people, more participation, more partners, and more fans,” said Tebuteb.

Tebuteb, on behalf of NMA, then thanked multiple entities for the success of their programs, from their private business partners, the athletes and their families who have sacrificed a lot; the volunteers; the media; and DFEMS and Department of Public Safety.

He also thanked the private schools and the Public School System “for your untiring support of our grassroots programs. Thank you to our governing body of sports, NMSA. We look forward to maintaining this relationship heading into 2024.”