SPORTS BRIEFS

STA hosts Verizon tennis next month

Saipan Tennis Association will kick off the 3rd Annual Verizon Tennis Cup next month at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.

The tournament begins with men’s and women’s doubles play on Aug. 3 and it will last until Aug. 10. Singles and mixed doubles will then make their debuts on the second week, which will be from Aug. 11 to 20.

Men’s doubles will have five divisions-open, 4.5, 4.0, 3.0, and 2.0, while women’s play would be confined to open, 4.0, and 3.0 divisions only.

Up for grabs in the singles portion of the tournament are men’s and women’s open, men’s and women’s 4.0, men’s and women’s 3.0, and men’s 4.5. Three divisions will be available in mixed doubles: Open, 4.0, and 3.0.

Aside from Verizon Micronesia, PSG Professional Corp. has also agreed to come on board as a minor sponsor of the netfest.

Entry fee for the tournament is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Would-be participants who are not members of STA can avail of the one-year membership by paying $10.

Entry forms are available at the AMP clubhouse bulletin board and at the All-Star Sporting Goods located at the Hafadai Shopping Center in Garapan.

For more information about the 3rd Annual Verizon Tennis Cup, contact President Roy Pangelinan at 287-7697, vice president-internal Nelia Luna at 288-5151 or 287-0859, vice president-external Ricky Castro at 484-2969, auditor Marlon Estigoy at 287-0895, and secretary Lenny Panteleon 285-9500. Those interested can also email at saipan_tennis@yahoo.com.

King of the Diamonds returns on July 16

The 2005 King of the Diamonds would be held on July 16 and 17, and may possibly be extended to the following weekend depending on the number of teams participating.

Organizers said all teams are given until July 15 to register and pay the required $100 entrance fee. All players must be at least 18 years of age and there is no limit to the number of players in a roster.

The champion of the Saipan leg would compete against titleholders from Guam and Palau in the King of the Diamonds Grand Finale in Palau on Nov. 10 to 14.

Organizers are also reminding all participating teams to send a representative at the rules meeting set for July 13 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium conference room. The meeting will be called to order at 5:30pm.

Interested teams can register at MARPAC in Gualo Rai. For more information, contact Newman Techur at 234-0173 or MARPAC.