“Originally, we had everything set in stone for the summer camp on Guam this July,” NMI Rollers 12U Coach Mike Mercado said. “We were scheduled for training sessions in the mornings and evenings with an individual trainer, Julian Stewart,” a former player in the Chinese Basketball Association whoe now plays for team Wu Tang Guam in the Guam Basketball League.
Thee NMI Lady Rollers gather for a group photo at the Gillette Multi-Purpose Gymnasium. Contributed photo
“Unfortunately, with our current situation regarding the Covid-19, we are re-evaluating our summer plans,” Coach Mercado said. As of now, the NMI Rollers’ training sessions are on hold. “The safety of our players and everyone involved in our organization, to include the community, is of the utmost importance,” he added.
But Mercado said he and the other coaches of the NMI Rollers “keep in touch with our players daily in our group chat. We pass out important information and vice versa. If you’re a teacher and a coach, a lot of students and players look up to you as a role model. Thus, I created an Instagram page which promotes healthy living for the youth and the people of the CNMI.”
Mercado added, “The current situation we are all in shouldn’t stop us from training. One of the factors that will help us in this Covid-19 battle is a healthy body.”
