Rangamar to coach CNMI cage belles in Micro Games

Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands vice president Elias Rangamar has officially been named head coach of the CNMI Women’s National team that will compete in the upcoming 2006 Micronesian Games.

This according to BANMI president Mike Muna, who said during an interview yesterday that Rangamar was given the position during the association’s monthly meeting Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

“I gave the coaching of the ladies to Elias,” said Muna, who had earlier conducted practices with interested cage belles. “I think that’s better and he really wanted it, so he’ll be working with the girls that will represent the CNMI in the Games.

All is set now as Rangamar heads the women’s team and fellow veteran bench tactician Rufino Aguon leads the men’s team.

Aguon has been holding tryouts every Tuesday and Thursday at the Northern Marianas College Gymnasium from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

Rangamar said he would first call a meeting with interested girls before specifying when practices will begin.

Former national players Connie Camacho, Emy Oiterong, and Dena Ngirchongor have already taken part in several practices, while All Micronesian Team member from two Micronesian Basketball Tournaments, Beverly Igitol, has indicated her interest in playing for the team.

Meanwhile, Muna said BANMI is kicking into higher gear as the Micro Games approaches.

The association president said BANMI will hold fundraisers and is appealing to private businesses to assist them.

“We’re going to hold fundraisers to prepare for the Games, “he said. “We’re looking at selling hot lunches, and even holding tournaments. Funds generated from the tournaments will be a big help.”

Muna said the BANMI board decided that the CNMI Women’s National Team would not compete in the Budweiser Cup BANMI Men’s Island-wide Basketball League. However, the team could possibly play in the Mobil Mariana Islands Invitational Co-ed Basketball League.

The 2006 edition of the Budweiser Cup-BANMI Island-wide Basketball League is tentatively set to kick off in the first week of March with 10 teams, including the CNMI Men’s National team expected to duke it out for bragging rights and the $1,000 championship purse.

Entry fee for this year’s Budweiser Cup is $800 plus a $100 membership for BANMI.

The Mobil league is set to start in the second week of February.

For more information about the Budweiser Cup or Mobil Invitational, contact Abner Venus at 888-3228.