By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

MICRONESIAN Games basketball tournament director Abner Venus was elected president of the Northern Youth Basketball Association for the 2007 season.
The election was held last Saturday during the general assembly meeting at the Magic Lamp Restaurant in Chalan LauLau with Jesse Santos,Sr. Verna Babauta and Ester Sablan joining the list of new officers.
Santos, Sr. was elected vice president, Babauta secretary and Sablan treasurer.
Sablan also served as treasurer last year under NYBA founder and outgoing president Joe Diaz.
Diaz with NYBA co-founder George Cruz and Basketball Association of Northern Mariana Islands developmental officer Elias Rangamar will be the association’s advisors.
In a brief speech, Venus asked for support from members and officials to realize the NYBA goals.
“The NYBA was successful with its programs last year because of the cooperation and support of the players, volunteers, parents and officials,” Venus said.
“Again this year, there will be no “I” in the NYBA. “We” must all work hard to ensure that we continue to see the improvement of our kids through basketball,” he added.
Venus also thanked Diaz and Cruz for starting the NYBA programs.
“These guys worked hard to put the NYBA where it is now. We hope to continue their mission and help NYBA get better every year,” Venus said.
Cruz, who was NYBA’s vice president last year, wished the new officers good luck and encouraged them to continue developing not only the basketball skills of the kids, but also their character.
“As have been said a hundred times, we, the NYBA are here to build the youth’s lives though the game of basketball,” Cruz said.
Diaz, who will be working as NYBA’s developmental officer, shared the same sentiments and is confident that the new officers are capable of realizing the association’s goals.
“These people helped us last year and I am sure they will continue to do good things for our kids,” Diaz said.
Meanwhile, NYBA also elected heads of various committees, which will be in charge of the tournaments, clinics, fundraising events and other activities of the association this year.
Rowena Relado will be in charge of the finance and administration committee, Paul Camacho on scoreboard, Angelo Maanao on competition, Demalyn Sablan on statistics, Jesse Santos, Jr. on facilities, Ross Deleon Guerrero on volunteers, Alana Leon Guerrero on ceremony and protocol and Carol Paez on education/outreach.
“We have young people leading different committees becuse we want our youth to develop command responsibility and leadership,” Cruz said.