Various sports events and activities for youth and adults were hosted last year at the Oleai Sports Complex facilities, which the Northern Marianas Sports Association maintains and operates.
(NMSA) — The Northern Mariana Sports Association is honored to receive the Non-Profit of the Year Award from the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and would like to recognize various organizations serving as NMSA’s key partners in supporting significant sports and health and wellness activities in the NMI.
NMSA, during the recent SCC Under the Stars Gala at the Hibiscus Hall of Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, was presented with the Non-Profit of the Year Award for creating a positive impact on the local community. NMSA is the governing body of sports in the NMI and has 18 national federations or NFs as members, which implement various programs for the community. The NMSA also manages and operates the Oleai Sports Complex, which houses multiple facilities that provide NMI residents and visitors venues for sports competitions, health, and wellness, and community activities.
“Thank you, Saipan Chamber of Commerce for this honor, which we would like share with our valued partners. All these programs and activities for the community are made possible through the support and commitment of our 18 national federations — representing the sports of athletics, basketball, badminton, baseball, bodybuilding, cycling, football, golf, pickleball, swimming, softball, tennis, triathlon, va’a, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling,” NMSA President Jerry Tan said.
The various NFs, through the support of NMSA, are able to form and send NMI national teams to international and regional competitions, providing our athletes and officials/coaches opportunities to showcase their skills in high-level sports events. Locally, the NFs offer and implement programs for students and the general public, utilizing the OSC and other sporting facilities.
NMSA and its member NFs have strong partnership with the CNMI Public School System through the PSS Athletic Program. This partnership has allowed interscholastic sports in NMI to make significant strides, increasing the number of students getting involved in sports events in elementary, middle, and high school divisions across the islands of Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. As student-athletes mature and improve their skills, they are equipped to play for the NMI national team and bring honor to our islands.
“The NMSA-PSS partnership positively impacts student learning outcomes through the partnership’s provision of many sports and athletics activities. As a result, our students develop their acumen for leadership, teambuilding, and sportsmanship through these opportunities. More importantly, in this partnership, all of our students are given the chance to excel in their passion and grow to a level where they could, one day, represent the CNMI here at home or abroad. Therefore, we value our relationship with NMSA because, at the end of the day, it is all about providing opportunities for our students to learn and grow beyond the classroom walls,” Education Commissioner Lawrence F. Camacho said.
Gratitude and teamwork
NMSA would also like to recognize the many contributions of other organizations and businesses that have supported our success.
NMSA has NMI athletes compete in major regional competitions in the last three years — the 2022 Pacific Mini Games, the 2023 Pacific Games, and the 2024 Micronesian Games — and had outstanding performances in all three events. Thanks to the continued generosity of organizations and individuals from the private and public sectors, NMSA was able to support NMI athletes’ participation to these competitions.
The 2024 Micro Games in Majuro saw Team Marianas send a little over 100 athletes and officials and came home with a total of 122 medals (70 golds, 23 silvers, and 29 bronzes) to rule the competition. The NMI’s total medal output is the most the team won in Micro Games history since its inception in 1969, and our 70 gold medals is also a record in the competition, breaking the mark (54 golds) that rival Guam got in 1994. Last year’s Team Marianas was supported by Mariana Express Lines Pte. Ltd, Skechers, Joeten Daidai Foundation, the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation, Triple J Motors, E-Land Group, D&Q, TakeCare Insurance, IT&E, Bank of Guam, Black Construction Corporation, Dial-Rent-To-Own, RNV Constructions, GPPC/Apex Builders, Matson, Chinese Association of Saipan, Y.K. Corporation, LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort, P&A Corporation, Jose & Ruri Ayuyu Foundation, and Zoom Café.
NMI residents also did their part by donating through the ‘Give A Little, Help A Lot’ fundraiser at Joeten stores.
“I would like to express my gratitude to our people of the CNMI, our local businesses, organizations, and respective sports federations that supported Team NMI for the 2024 Micronesian Games. Through your support and generous donations, Team NMI was able to travel to the Marshall Islands and make history. Our whole community played a role in Team NMI’s achievements. This is the true definition of teamwork,” said weightlifter Antonette Labausa, who was NMI’s flag bearer in last year’s Micro Games.
“On behalf of the NMI athletes, we would like NMSA to know that we appreciate your efforts in being the bridge that connects NMI federations and athletes with opportunities to raise our flag around the world,” she added.
For his part, Saipan Baseball League President Jay Santos believes one of the reasons the sports community is thriving is the presence of well-kept facilities on the islands.
“The work that NMSA does behind the scenes to keep the facilities safe and clean is proof to their strong commitment to various sports, including baseball and softball. Without their support in keeping the facilities at Tan Ko & Tan Ge operating, we would not be able to organize baseball leagues as we have done since 2021,” Santos said.
Since the return of baseball, SBL is able to hold Open and Masters leagues with an increase in number of participants in each division for the last two seasons. Fast-pitch softball is also back after nearly a decade of inactivity, while the “Tan Ge” field is also being utilized for Little League practices. The Saipan Mayor’s Office under the leadership of Mayor Ramon B. Camacho, is helping NMSA maintain the “Tan Ko” and “Tan Ge” grounds as well as the track and field area.
With the continued support from the community and its well-maintained facilities, the NMSA is excited for the various programs and events rolling out this year, including the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau this summer.