{"id":322627,"date":"2020-05-11T06:06:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-10T20:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=322627"},"modified":"2020-05-11T06:06:00","modified_gmt":"2020-05-10T20:06:00","slug":"hall-of-famer-tino-olopai-75","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/hall-of-famer-tino-olopai-75\/","title":{"rendered":"Hall of Famer Tino Olopai, 75"},"content":{"rendered":"
In this 1969 file photo supplied by Kurt Barnes, Tino Olopai lits the cauldron to kick off the Micronesian Olympics held on Saipan. (Contributed Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tino Olopai attended the NMSA Sports Banquet in 2011 to reunite with former teammates and his friends and was not thinking about getting the recognition he truly deserved for making a mark in CNMI sports.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s how humble he was as an athlete and a great friend who\u2019s always ready to accommodate people dear to him. Olopai passed away last Saturday at his residence in As Lito. He was 75.<\/p>\n

The well-respected athlete was inducted into the CNMI Sports Hall of Fame nine years ago after excelling in multiple sports\u2014basketball, volleyball, softball, and baseball\u2014in 1960s and 1970s. Among the highlights of his more than two decades of playing various sports was his role in the 1969 Micronesian Olympics held on Saipan. Olopai lit the cauldron of the event that gave birth to the Micronesian Games. He was also a member of the storied Breakers Team, which set a 60-plus winning streak in a basketball league on Saipan in the 1960s.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were teammates in basketball and volleyball,\u201d said Kurt Barnes, also a CNMI Hall of Famer, as he recalled how he met Olopai.<\/p>\n

In this Feb. 17, 2011 file photo, Tino Olopai, center, is joined by his wife, Jean, and friends for a group photo after being inducted into the CNMI Sports Hall of Fame during the NMSA Banquet at Kanoa Resort. (Saipan Tribune)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Barnes arrived on Saipan in 1967 as a Peace Corps volunteer and one night he went out to drink soda at the then famous Saipan Inn at Chalan Kanoa. After finishing his bottle, more came, courtesy of Olopai.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was waving at me while saying hi. Such a wonderful person and always ready to accommodate his friends,\u201d said Barnes, who was among the sports leaders, past and present, who paid tribute to the late Olopai and offered their condolences to the latter\u2019s family.<\/p>\n

Northern Marianas Athletics president vice president Ray Tebuteb said NMA considered Olopai not only as a great athlete, but also as close family member. Olopai\u2019s son, Ron, is one of NMA\u2019s national coaches, having been with the program for more than a decade. Tebuteb added that Olopai\u2019 involvement in sports encouraged his children Ron and Michelle to share their time and expertise in helping develop young athletes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was truly an inspiration to his children,\u201d Tebuteb said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNMA extends its condolences to Tino\u2019s wife, Jean, and his children and other family members,\u201d the NMA head added.<\/p>\n

In this 1969 file photo supplied by Kurt Barnes, Tino Olopai participates in the Micronesian Olympics\u2019 torch relay. (Contributed Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Northern Marianas Sports Association also released a brief statement to condole with the family of Olopai.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur heartfelt condolences to the family of CNMI Sports Hall of Famer Tino Olopai. Mr. Olopai epitomized a well-respected and accomplished athlete, as he had shown great sportsmanship and leadership while competing for the CNMI in various sports. NMSA is honored to have enshrined Mr. Olopai into the CNMI Sports Hall of Fame. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Olopai\u2019s family at these challenging times,\u201d NMSA said.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Ron Olopai thanked the people who reached out to their family upon learning the death of his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe would like to thank everyone for all the heartfelt thoughts and prayers,\u201d Ron said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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