Bowling group reorganizes • Saipan Bowling Association hopes to bring the sport into the mainstream

The Commonwealth Bowling Association has reorganized in order to once again take the lead in coming up with activities and promoting bowling in the CNMI.

The new set of officials also decided to change the organization’s name to Saipan Bowling Association. SBA is affiliated with organizations governing tenpin bowling worldwide. These are the Federation International des Quilleurs or International Bowling Federation, World Tenpin Bowling Association, and Asian Bowling Federation.

SBA primarily aims to put bowling in the mainstream. The organization also hopes to be more positively involved in the community.

In addition, SBA will try to revive the waning interest in sports, specially that of CNMI youths. It said bowling is a sport for everyone that does not have gender or age barriers. Not even the weather can be a deterrent.

“It is a sport which individuals can be serious about, excel, and something that may be considered for international competitions. It can also be a sport that may be enjoyed with the family or with co-workers and friends like in daily bowling leagues,” said SBA.

SBA’s newly elected president is Jerry tan. One of his companies owns and manages two bowling centers — Central Lanes and Royal Lanes — on Guam.

Mr. Tan is also well known to most leaders of Asian countries’ bowling federations and to the current heads of the WTBA and the ABF, which makes him most qualified to lead and “jump start” SBA.

Previous committees that assisted in putting SBA’s plans into action are:

• The Tournament Committee, chaired by Jess Rebusada, will plan local, international, and youth tournaments. It will also help organize classified and on tap tournaments for the new and inexperienced bowlers;

• Fund-raising Committee is chaired by Mark Halstead. His committee will plan activities to generate funds that will be used for all SBA activities;

• Milo Orallo chairs the Membership Committee with Cindy Iginoef as assistant. This committee will take charge in recruiting new members and explaining to the members the other aspects of SBA;

The new committees are:

• Youth Program Committee, chaired by Becky Cabrera, will plan and organize bowling activities like leagues, tournaments, coaching sessions for CNMI youth bowlers. Besides helping the youth avoid bad activities, SBA also wants to provide them the opportunity to excel and be competitive in the international level;

• Public Relations Committee headed by Ross Zapanta will provide the community with news and information about the bowling, bowlers, and the SBA’s community activities; and

• Community Service Committee led by Paul Pangelinan will plan other activities that will allow SBA members to contribute for the betterment of the community.

All interested individuals are invited to join the SBA. For other inquiries, contact any member of the SBA Board of Directors. Most of them are always available during league nights at Saipan’s two bowling centers — the Saipan Bowling Center (Tuesday to Saturday) and the Capitol Bowling Center (Thursday and Friday).

SBA Board of Directors are: President, Jerry Tan; Vice President, Mark Halstead; Treasurer, Ross Zapanta; Secretary, Becky Reyes; Directors: Joe Guerrero, Ariel Dumapit, Jess Rebusada, Milo Orallo, Ador Dimaano, Paul Pangelinan, and Becky Cabrera.