“We are still urging for more families to join the open division. Attracting competitors to join the open division is our major goal for the upcoming tournament for this will help us get these families together and bond with each other and play together,” said coordinator Abner Venus in an interview with the Variety.
The Variety learned that the coalition and the coordinators of the SAFE — Safe, Aware, Free, Empower- Jamboree have asked the Basketball Association of the Northern Marianas Islands (BANMI) to help them in conducting and overseeing the basketball tournament.
The Variety also learned that the registrations will still be accepted. “We highly urge that everyone register before Saturday. The deadline was originally scheduled for Friday before 5 pm where interested participants can turn their registration papers at the Coalition office or office of the Department of Public system,” said Venus.
“But if people cannot make the deadline on Friday we will still accept already filled out registration forms on Saturday at 2 p.m. before the Jamboree walk starts so that their names can be listed in the official tournament roster,” further explained Venus.
The tournament will commence at 3 p.m. right after the Jamboree’s walk and there will be two courts utilized during the tournament to help accommodate all of the players.
There will be two games at a time. All teams are encouraged to have five players in each team: three players on the court and two substitutes.
There will be three co-ed age group categories which are U16 U12 and the family division which will include two parents and a child or two kids and one parent.
“I would like to remind everyone that the three-on-three tournament will be governed by FIBA rules which promote healthy sportsmanship,” added Venus.
Trophies will be awarded to the Champions, 1st Runner-up and 2nd runner-up for each division.
There will be no entrance fee for the upcoming competition. To register please call 888-7764, 483-9650, or at 322-0046 or please email Abner Venus at [email protected] or contact the Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence at 234-3878 for the forms.
“We invited everyone including the people from the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Having a large community join us for the Jamboree this Saturday will send a message that we do not tolerate any kind of violence all the more, sexual violence,” said Venus.
