Mayor calls for sports programs; praises karate team

Saipan Mayor Ramon B. “RB” Camacho calls for programs and partnerships with sports organizations for a healthier community, and also praised the karate team that competed and won in the Karate Dream Festival 2024 International Championship in Japan during a press conference last Friday at the Saipan Mayor’s Office conference room.

The press conference was attended by Camacho, CNMI Martial Arts Academy of Self-Defense-Kyokushinkai Karate Watanabe Dojo sensei Danny Banez, silver medalist Jerry Diaz, coach Eric Atalig, martial artist Spencer Floyd, and young martial artists and their parents.

They talked about the benefits and the positive impact of martial arts for the youth and the community. Camacho and Banez said that the partnership/program with the SMO and the CNMI Martial Arts Academy of Self-Defense-Kyokushinkai Karate Watanabe Dojo is in the works.

Camacho then congratulated the team on officially being recognized as the 106th country of the World Karate Organization and are now able to compete anywhere around the world.

As for the sports programs, Camacho said they should work on making a non-profit organization in order to tap into grants for funds that will be used to benefit the youth and their sports programs.

“This is just the beginning. I’ve seen Jerry and Eric practicing, so I talked to [Banez] and said I need this kind of program to expose it to the community,” Camacho said on when the karate program will be up and running.

More on the programs Camacho wants to set up, he said, “What can we do to serve this community out here in a better way so we can reduce these unacceptable activities within our community? Drugs are addictive, but so is technology. We have to break the kids away from it. There are opportunities such as this martial arts that’s around the corner—let’s bring these kids in. These are the programs I’m trying to come up with for our community because I see this is lacking in our island.”

Banez, for his part, then said they would need funding for more equipment, gear, and gi (traditional uniform). For his dojo, their one-month fee of three times a week sessions is $75.

As for karate tournaments in the CNMI and not just in Guam, they said there’s a possibility. However, Diaz, Special Education State Personnel Development Grant Project coordinator, said that they could also piggyback off Guam’s yearly tournaments.

“We can cost-share and open the seminar here to all the kids—you don’t have to be a member of the dojo. We can just find a location and open it to everyone… this is really for everyone and our community,” he said.

Atalig, for his part, said, “I’ve been with sensei Danny since the ’90s. I stopped and came back mostly for physical and mental health. What I learned from taking self-defense is: I learned to fight so I don’t have to fight. That’s what it’s all about. It’s about strengthening the mind and the body—it’s not to abuse it or show it off—it’s for yourself.”

Floyd, who’s been in the sport for about a year, said, “it’s difficult—I’m 47, so you really have to dedicate yourself and learn. This is something I knew that I could do to stay active, be disciplined, and stay motivated.”

Banez then thanked sponsors of their team—BFSM Bank, Joeten Superstore, MMC and Marianas Security, Mobil Tanapag Station, Soudelor Construction, and Kautz Glass, The Water Company, and Saipan Mayor Ramon B. “RB” Camacho.