By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE Northern Marianas Athletics continues its 2007 Kids Athletics Tour in the NMI with San Antonio Elementary School and Saipan Community School experiencing the latest craze in athletics.
Kids Athletics featured the basic events in the sport, namely, jumping, throwing and running. But unlike traditional athletics competitions, events in Kid Athletics use innovative/improvised equipment and need not to be done at a track and field facility, as school grounds or even parking lots are acceptable venues.
It also aims to teach kids the basics of athletics in a more enjoyable and easier manner.
Last Thursday, over 350 kids from San Antonio Elementary School participated in the Tour. They were divided into 20 groups.
NMA officials and volunteers taught San Antonio students the sprint/slalom 8-minute endurance race and formula one relay races. Volunteers used old tires, sticks and plastic cones as obstacles and markers in the races.
“At the end of every race, kids cheer and say good job, good job, which is their way of saying thank you,” NMA secretary general Robin Sapong said.
Last Tuesday, over 60 Saipan Community School students joined the fun activities.
NMI 100m record-holder Tyrone Omar and Sylvan Rangamar, who is into throwing events, led NMA’s session at Saipan Community.
“We showed the kids some basic athletics drills. They had a wonderful experience, as our top athletes like Tyrone Omar and Sylvan Rangamar joined them in doing the drills,” Sapong said.
Sapong also said they will continue to hold Kids Athletics clinics at various schools in the NMI. Last month, NMA officials went to Rota and they are also set to hold similar clinics on Tinian this year.
Aside from the slalom and formula one relay races, NMA officials are also expected to demonstrate non-traditional athletics meets, such as pole flying and hurler throw.
Unlike the pole vault, where an athlete needs to jump high to clear the bar before falling to the ground, the pole flying only requires a long jump using the pole with the athlete trying to reach make-shift markers, which have corresponding points.
The hurler is made of rubber and creates a whistle-like sound when it’s up in the air. With its light weight and small size, it will be easy for kids to throw.
“The IAAF Kids Athletics aims to bring excitement into athletics. New events and an innovative organization will enable children to discover basic sprinting, running, jumping etc. The athletics games will provide children with the opportunity to make the most of the beneficial practices of athletics, in terms of health, education, and self-fulfillment,” Sarong said.
“Team work is the basic principle of IAAF Kids Athletics. All team members make contributions to the results,” he added.