The local organizing committee and the Basketball Association of Northern Mariana Islands are thanking Mondo, FIBA and the FIBA Oceania Zone, for their generosity.
The Gilbert C. Ada Gym, according to the organizing committee has received brand-new portable basketball backboards, backboard supports, and shot clocks that will be use in Oceania caging on June 20 to 29.
The new units consist of a support arm, two uprights, a base, and a backboard and rim. These are necessary because the existing backboards at the gym are no longer in compliance with FIBA regulations.
The said equipment can be folded and rolled out of the way when the gym is needed for other use. The units look very similar to ones which are used in NBA arenas.
The backboard units are currently in storage, and will be installed at the gym as soon as renovations to the gym floor are completed.
The renovations, which will also include upgrading of the bathrooms and locker rooms, are currently being undertaken by the Department of Public Works, under the supervision of Joe Lizama, Chief of the Division of Sports and Recreation, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.
The new shot clocks will replace existing units that are no longer functional.
Mondo, an Italian company, is a global partner of FIBA. The new equipment was secured by Steve Smith, Secretary-General of the FIBA Oceania Zone. This is the first time that Mondo and FIBA have ever made a donation of this size to any country or territory in the Oceania Zone. The estimated value of the equipment is $40,000.00. In addition, FIBA Oceania donated the cost of shipment of the backboards and shot clocks to Saipan.
BANMI president Elias Rangamar, and chairman of the organizing committee, welcomed the arrivals of new equipment.
“One of our objectives in holding the Oceania Tournament here in Saipan was to enable us to improve our facilities, so that they can be enjoyed by the people of the CNMI for many years to come. The new backboard units and shot clocks will be a part of the legacy that the Tournament will leave for the future,” he said.
Rangamar added, “we are very grateful to Mondo, the FIBA Study Centre, and FIBA Oceania for donating this wonderful equipment at no cost to the CNMI. The new equipment will really help us run a great tournament.”
The Oceania Tournament will be held in Saipan from Saturday June 20, to Sunday June 28, 2009. Australia and New Zealand, along with Pacific basketball powerhouses New Caledonia, Fiji, Tahiti, and Guam, and our North Pacific neighbor Palau, will send national men’s and women’s teams to compete with the CNMI’s best.
Gold sponsors for the Tournament so far include Tan Holdings, the Joeten Charitable Foundation, and IT&E. The Organizing Committee expects to close sponsorship arrangements with other companies within the next few days.
