Chaba kids shine, Rocball returns, sports rebounding

For the past week, majority of local sports have been rebounding from the untimely interruption placed upon them by Supertyphoon Chaba.

Chaba left many families with damaged homes, forcing them to temporarily reside in shelters.

Among them was the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, whose staff took it upon themselves to find ways to put a smile of the faces of children, whose ages ranged from between three to 16 years old.

With that, the department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ Sports and Recreation Division, in collaboration with the Northern Mariana Islands Track and Field Federation, hosted several sport activities, organized just for the “Chaba Kids.”

Also, with families sheltered scheduled to return home yesterday, several leagues, which call the Ada facility home, have indicated that action may resume soon. Among those leagues are the Inter Restaurant Basketball League and the UFO-San Miguel Cup.

Meanwhile, Rocball, the sport first played on Saipan, returned to action with several matches played at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. Both games featured defending champion Ghasias Brothers facing Shag, with Shag winning both.

Rocball founder James Feger indicated on Wednesday that the World Organized Rocball Interscholastic and Community League is already in its practice round, with its regular season scheduled to unfold on the third week this month. All interested teams can register by contacting Feger at 664-3810 or 288-8722.

The CNMI All Stars that took part in the recent Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA also returned to home soil early Wednesday morning, arriving to the warm welcome and cheers of families and supporters at the Saipan International Airport.

Also holding a piece of the spot light was the sport of motocross after the National Motorcycle Sports and Safety Association appointed Verizon art director Norman del Rosario as its consultant on Saipan. NAMSSA, in affiliation with the Federation Internationale de Motorcycisme, a major motocross body in the world that is also recognized by the International Olympic committee, has expressed interest in including Saipan in its circuit. Plans are already in the works for FIM to hold its 2005 Asian Supercross Championships on Saipan.

Del Rosario disclosed that he will meet with the Marianas Racing Association sometime soon to present them with the plans.

He also indicated that Saipan riders are invited to compete in the 2004 Camel Supercross Championship Series beginning September 18 at the Philippines. The series includes three legs, with the first from Sept. 18-19 at Roxas City, the second at Bacolod City, and the third in Iloilo City. Local riders may contact del Rosario for processing of FIM licenses at namssa.spn@vzpacifica.net. (Brad Ruszala)