By James Sablan
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
ON a vibrant morning at the Oleai Sports Complex, the laughter and energetic cheers of children echoed across the track, signaling a major milestone for youth sports. The occasion was the global celebration of World Athletics Kids’ Athletics Day, an initiative dedicated to getting the next generation moving, playing, and exploring through the power of sport, hosted by Northern Marianas Athletics.
The free community event brought together young participants under a singular, inspiring mission: “Get kids moving, inspire a generation, and join the global celebration of Kids’ Athletics.”
Originally launched in 2022, the global Kids’ Athletics Day campaign has spent years inspiring children worldwide. The initiative uses the foundational movements of athletics to promote:
• Physical Health. Combating sedentary lifestyles by teaching basic athletic fundamentals.
• Inclusion. Creating environments where every child, regardless of ability or background, has the opportunity to participate and feel a sense of belonging.
• Community Spirit. Bringing families and local organizations together under the umbrella of healthy lifestyle choices.
That vision materialized into a jam-packed morning of activities. Organized by Northern Marianas Athletics, the event welcomed children 12 years and under to participate in a series of custom-designed physical challenges.
Unlike rigid, high-pressure competitive tournaments, Kids’ Athletics Day focuses entirely on fundamental physical literacy. The event featured a variety of rotating stations designed to keep energy high and barriers to entry low.
NMA General Secretary Robin Sapong emphasized that the goal is to integrate these foundational sports skills into the local lifestyle. The long-term vision is even more ambitious — incorporating the Kids’ Athletics curriculum directly into the local school system over the next five years. This pathway would allow coaches to become certified while ensuring young students develop basic motor skills such as running, jumping, throwing, crawling, and rolling from an early age.
“Athletics is the mother of all sports. Whether a child grows up to play cricket, golf, or basketball, they need these foundational movements. Getting them outside and active post-storm is the best way to keep them fit and happy,” Sapong said.
Supported locally by Northern Marianas Athletics and backed by global partners, the day demonstrated how sports can serve as a powerful tool for community bonding. For families who spent their morning trackside at the Oleai Sports Complex, it was a reminder of how simple — and how joyful — the journey to a healthier lifestyle can be.
With dozens of smiling faces and a community united behind youth health, Saipan successfully put its best foot forward for the future of track and field.
As of press time, Venezuela led the global participation leaderboard for Kids’ Athletics Day with a total count of 3,307,553 participants, followed by Uganda with 2,852,653 and Benin with 1,668,641.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
