Mesa got the majority votes during the election held at the Northern Marianas College last Dec. 28 succeeding Rufino Aguon who headed the group for two years.
The association’s new vice president is Dado Vistal and the new secretary is Manny Sitchon.
Michael White remains the treasurer and secretary general which is a 10-year term position.
The NMIRA is currently basketball clinic sponsored by Price Costco. It aims to train players, coaches and aspiring referees handle a game while preventing violations and injuries.
Mesa said that in basketball leagues held on the island, an average of 50 to 60 team fouls are called in every single game.
This, he said indicates that coaches haven’t are taught their player enough.
“We are captivated with thee thrill foul,” he said.
Mesa explains, “It is only the ball you want to stop and it is always the ball you must want to touch, deflect and take. It is not a man you want to stop, beat and hurt. Never in life (say) that ‘that man, I beat’.”
Referees, umpires he added are the product of rules, so every action is magnified.
Mesa also pointed out how important a good sportsmanship is.
Defense he said is without touching a man. As last resort however, to stop a game clock, there’s a mere foul to give at no injuries.
The talent, skills and will to play must be in the highest level of good sportsmanship, Mesa said.
Mesa was tasked by the Basketball Association of Northern Mariana Islands last year to coordinate the Masters Basketball League for veteran players in preparation for the 2009 Masters Olympic Games that will be held in Sydney, Australia in October.
Dubbed as “the largest league in planet” for having 29 different sports for athletes 35 years and older, the World Olympics, will be joined by veteran cagers from 94 countries.
