Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation President James Lee poses for a photo with VP David Apatang Jr., Secretary Michael Mercado, board member Marene Lumabi, club representatives and other basketball enthusiasts at the conclusion of NMIBF’s general membership meeting in the conference room of the Ada gym on Saturday.
THE Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation held a general membership meeting Friday in the Ada gym conference room to discuss updates on the Koblerville gymnasium, the need to focus on the grassroots in the following years, among other subjects.
The meeting discussed the growth of the federation throughout the past three years, its financial reports, the general membership annual registration and fees, as well as the 2026 board election.
“We wanted to show you guys what you have entrusted us to do and what we have done so far for the past three years,” NMIBF President James Lee said.
Also present in the meeting were the federation’s vice president, David Apatang Jr., secretary Michael Mercado and board member Marlene Lumabi.
Lee presented a list of events for the next two years starting with a 3×3 Youth Back to School Bash that will be held at the end of the month at the Koblerville gymnasium.
Next on the list was the FIBA Oceania 3×3 Youth Athlete Development Program. NMIBF plans to select a coach, a referee, and an athlete to participate in the event, which will held in Queensland, Australia. But due to budget constraints, they will most likely send a coach and a referee only.
NMIBF also applied for a grant for the third consecutive year of “Her World Her Rule” program, which will be followed by an all-female program that caters to all ages, “I Am HER.”
In addition, the federation will host the 4th 3×3 Hoop Fest and the PSS Interscholastic Basketball League.
The meeting also discussed the FIBA U17 Oceania Tournament that will be held in Samoa in Dec. 2025.
“It’s really about developing the youth because within the next two or three years, they will be able to go to the next Micro Games and give a good representation of what we [NMIBF] can accomplish,” Apatang said, referring to the federation’s plans.
Aside from youth events, NMIBF will also organize the 2nd Inter-Government/Business League, and help prepare NMI players for the Mini Pacific Games 3×3 (U18-U23) games to be held in Palau in 2025, and the 2025 Micronesian Games in Nauru that will feature a 3×3 event.
NMIBF also noted its achievements since 2021. These include securing a five-year contract for the Koblerville gymnasium.
Unfortunately, the most recent storm damaged the gym, including its water pump and vents, among other things. NMIBF plans to repair the facility but with a lease expiring in the next two years, the discussion of how much to invest is still in the air.
On a brighter side, NMIBF is still using the gym for national team practices which are held every Tuesday and Thursday. The upcoming 3×3 Youth Back to School Bash will also be held at the gym.
The 3×3 Youth Back to School Bash will likewise serve as training for local referees who want to further improve their officiating skills.
More information about the meeting will be featured in Variety’s next edition.
