Students of SFA will host first student-led wahoo tournament

The Saipan Fishermen’s Association receives a $2,500 donation from Mobil Oil Marianas Inc. that will fund the first student-led wahoo tournament. From left, Wayne Pangelinan, Joseph Fitial, Pete Reyes, Malaina Kileleman, and Anthony Wenceslao. (JUSTINE NAUTA)

The Saipan Fishermen’s Association, a non-profit organization, received a donation of $2,500 from Mobil Oil Marianas Inc. last Jan. 13 at the Mobil gas station on Middle Road in Garapan for the first wahoo tournament that is being organized by students under the mentorship of SFA.

The Saipan’s Youth Fishing Club, which is composed of 47 students from Da’ok Academy, Saipan Southern High School, Kagman High School, and Marianas High School who joined the eight-month-long program, is organizing the wahoo tournament, which will be held on Feb. 29.

SFA spokesman Wayne Pangelinan said the tournament is a fundraising activity and all proceeds that are raised will go to the SFA youth program to “further carry out opportunities” and to also provide prizes and awards on the day of the tournament itself.

The SFA youth program not only teaches the youth the rudiments of fishing. “It’s not only about fishing but about sustainable living using the resources we have. It’s about all the different methods and tactics, a lot of skill sets that are not necessarily passed down today,” said Pangelinan.

Former senator Pete Reyes, who is also a member of the SFA, said the eight-month-long program under the SFA focuses on the youth, “and to hopefully take the youth away from other activities that can be dangerous or criminal. It’s to teach them a hobby that would be beneficial for them and their family.”

Mobil, which has been supporting SFA’s Saipan International Fishing Derby for the past 35 years, also donated $2,500 to SFA last Sept. 5 to facilitate the association’s outreach through the Da’ok Academy, which is a non-traditional high school.

“It’s important to support the youth programs and it’s so fortunate that the SFA is able to lend their expertise to help the youth, and just to have this opportunity to support the SFA and Saipan’s Youth Fishing Club so they can lead the first ever wahoo tournament is exciting,” said Mobil Fuel area manager Anthony Wenceslao.

The wahoo tournament will be open to everyone who is interested. Registration will be on Feb. 28 at the Smiling Cover in Garapan from 4pm to 5:30pm. Then the wahoo tournament will be at the Smiling Cove in Garapan on Feb. 29 from 6am to 5pm. Awards will be given right after.