He received 20 basketballs from the Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands.
“This will allow the youth to be continually involved in productive activities,” the mayor said.
He said he will also send some of the basketballs to Rota for the sports development program of Mayor Melchor A. Mendiola.
BANMI president Elias Rangamar turned over the basketballs on Friday at the Saipan mayor’s office.
The donation was arranged by Masters Basketball Federation of the Northern Mariana Islands chairman Ray Lizama.
Flores said it was the first time his office received donation of sports equipment.
He noted that “most of our villages lack adequate and safe sports facilities. Most existing facilities are now in disrepair, unclean and unsafe.”
He said children have limited options for exercise and play.
Rangamar said donating sports equipment is part of BANMI’s development program.
“I hope the youth will keep on being active in sports and maintaining healthy habits,” he said.
BANMI, he added, is planning to conduct a sports clinic at the Ada Gym.
