Close to 200 people including the over a hundred players, attended the ceremony that started minutes earlier than scheduled at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym.
Senator Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian presented the Masters Basketball Federation of Northern Mariana Islands the resolution recognizing the group the league for players 35-years-old and older.
Rep. Raymond D. Palacios, Covenant-Saipan congratulated the all the players and federation and vowed to continue his commitment to the supports.
Senator Francisco Q. Cruz and Rep. Ray Basa also attended the opening ceremony to show their support for the Masters league.
Saipan Mayor Donald Flores who expressed great pleasure to be in the Masters team himself noted that NMI has proven to have quite a number of good solid players in wide variety of sports.
The NMI people, he said should be very proud to support the Masters basketball whose participants set a good example to the younger players, proving them that sports is one of the major key to a healthy community.
Flores remembered he played as guard for the Mt. Carmel High School basketball team. “Proudly, I am mot a stranger to this sport,” and, kidding aside, he hopes there would senior Masters some day.
Tinian Mayor Ray Dela Cruz said that keeping in shape and taking care of health is an issue that has not boundaries and must be taken seriously.
“Everyday we see our friends and relatives face serious health problems that are often the result of poor diet and lack of exercise,” he said.
He said that those who qualify for Masters’ sports know that, “the older you get the more difficult it becomes to maintain an active exercise routine.”
That is why he would like to applaud Masters federation chairman Ray Lizama and those who helped him organize the Masters Basketball League.
He said he is looking forward to reactivating the Masters Basketball on Tinian.
Public Health medical director Dr. Richard Brostrom, before closing the ceremony with his remarks gave the participants some tips of what to do before hitting the hard court.
The Masters opening also paid tribute to the 17 deceased players who had contributed to the NMI basketball.
They are Tony Borja, Gerald Feritti, Nick Loste, Ric Alegre, James Tanaka, George Benavente, Tom Barcinas, Pete Techur, Luis H. Manglona, Wilfred A. Taisacan, John Bunny S. Ogo, Gabriel M. Manglona, Francisco B. Manglona, Odillo DLC Cabrera, Francisco A. Manglona, Francisco S. Toves Jr., and Alexandro DLC Cabrera.
Lizama for his part, expressed once again, in behalf of the Masters Federation, sincerest gratitude to the main and co-sponsors of the event.
A fancy rifle drill from the Marianas High School JROTC Rifle Team wowed the participants and basketball fans.
Dance numbers from Inatuas Dance Group and Pacific Flower Dance Group also graced the ceremony.
Miller Genuine Draft 64 distributed by the Pacific Trading Company is the main sponsor of the said league.
The Master Federation also thanks the co-sponsors that include Tan Sui Lin Foundations, Island Apparel, IT&E, Pacific Islands Club, Micronesian Brokers, Trench Tech Purebred Saipan, Fotten Gaga, Mc Donalds Restaurant, Gold’s Gym, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Fiesta Resort and Spa, NMC-ITT Media Department.
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