Doing one better for kids

Basketball courts have been built around villages for young kids where they could spend their energies on a worthy sport. A lot of good character building is involved when they engage in this form of activity.

There’s the formation of a team, learning and honing one’s skills of the game, working together as a team, listening to a coach map-out a game plan, executing a fastbreak or full court press, etc. By the time they’re done, they are ready to go home for shower and dinner, buckling down afterwards to doing their home work.

Most of the facilities are undergoing resurfacing which costs about $10,000 each. And we do so in the interest of our kids. But often too we find use of these courts by adults from nearby barracks. I’m not saying they shouldn’t use it. But some measure of courtesy ought to be given young kids who come to spend their time at the court.

We need not regulate use of the court. Community members could get involved in the organization of youth basketball games so it becomes an organized and scheduled activity. It gives kids the opportunity to use it for first while granting adults use of it when they are done. We would do our kids one better if we allow them first use of the court.

And we would even do them a whole lot better if one of us organizes their activities into something meaningful. After all, we’re known for our traditional sense of community. Let’s do it!

Volunteeing for kids

One of the nice things about this island community is the ultra-sense of dedication of some of its people to youth activities.

There’s the late Mayor Gilbert Ada who established the little league (baseball) which was taken over by his son James Ada who, in turn, took the sport to new heights never before attained in local history. The most humbling part of his role is that it’s all volunteer work from A-Z.

Throughout his career, both as a basketball and baseball player, he was able to get the CNMI participating in the Little League World Series. If anything, he’s made the greatest impact this century in moving the game of little league basebfall to new heights. And we owe the gentleman our appreciation for working the clock to bring our star little league baseball players to world level competition. For his ultra-sense of dedication and community, this fella deserves to be the next Mayor of Saipan!

There are others who have dedicated their time to youth sports activities during off-hours. They include Representative Karl Reyes and Steve Luzama who spearheaded the little league football organization. They’ve worked long and hard on fundraisers to purchase football gears for the umpteen number of enthusiasts who eventually participated in the weekend football league over the last several years. They too deserve a full round of applause for their dedication.

There are others too who contributed in substantial ways. Off hand I could only think of Joe Sanchez for his earlier role in village competition in both baseball and basketball. And he’s still very active as a volunteer for the good of energetic youths all over the island. I don’t mean to omit others and you’d have to forgive my ignorance for in no way is there the intention to overlook your contributions.

But I will be back to grant you your dues in sterling fashion. And before I get accused of being bias, a word of gratitude is due each governor for generously helping out in our collective community effort to ensure that kids have some meaningful activities to expend of their energies. Si Yuus Maase`!