BANMI President and development officer Elias Rangamar said they will pull from this league, the selection for national team.
The Budweiser league, he added will also serve as fundraiser for the selected national team who will participate in off-island competitions.
Rangamar reiterated that BANMI is NMI’s basketball federation and is the only group in the islands that is sanctioned of FIBA.
Calling all champions
BANMI, according to board member Abner Venus would like to invite all teams who were crowned champions in the different leagues in CNMI to join the Budweiser league formerly known as Budweiser Cup.
Venus said this is the best time for the coaches and members of the reigning teams to prove themselves.
“If you think your team is a real champion, come and show us what you have. Real champions participate in Budweiser Basketball League,” Venus said.
The organizing committee, he said will provide complete uniforms for the participating teams of 10 players. It will be on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Venus further said that attractive prizes await the winning teams.
Big change
Rangamar said there will be a big change in selecting qualified players and coaches for our national men and women’s team.
BANMI, he said will be sending a delegation for men and women to New Caledonia in October 2010, to the Micronesian Games for 2010 and the Marianas Invitational Basketball Tournament.
Venus for his part said they also take in to FIBA, all coaches and players who are participating in the BANMI sanctioned leagues.
The criteria for selecting qualified players and coaches will be announced later.
And with the assistance of Referee Association President Gabriel White, BANMI plans to conduct coaches and referees’ clinic to expand their knowledge on basketball, Venus said.
This, he added will “get our delegates ready when they go off island.”
Due to the economic situation, BANMI has not decided on entrance fee, until the first meeting, Venus said.
All the interested teams will have to come up with the entrance fee when they are ready to join. They can call Rangamar at 664-2502.
For more updates about the upcoming tournaments or leagues please check the Federation Website of the Northern Mariana Islands.
