Michael A. White, secretary of Basketball Assocation of Northern Mariana Islands thanked McDonald’s for its continuous support to CNMI’s sports programs.
He said the BANMI is proud to have McDonald’s as its sponsor.
McDonald’s owner Joe Ayuyu also thanked BANMI for considering McDonald’s as its sponsor for one of the most important sports events this year.
Ayuyu urged the community to also support CNMI’s athletes and the local organizers in the event that happens only once every four years.
The event he added will also be good for economy because there’s going to be a lot of people coming in and will get the chance to patronize businesses on the island.
McDonald’s he said had been supporting youth and sports program since it opened 16 years ago.
White noted that it will be for the first time that the entire north Pacific will host FIBA Oceania Basketball Tournament which will not only give CNMI the chance to see the great athletes from Australia and New Zealand but also give the islands’ own athletes the opportunity to play against future Olympians.
“We are going to get to see medal winners who are coming here as coaches and future medal winners for their respective countries. Our athletes are going to have the chance to play against some of these athletes,” White said, adding that “to get better, you have to play against somebody who is better.”
White also urged members of the community to come out and cheer for CNMI’s men and women teams. He also said that local organizers need support financially.
The athletes are all working hard, practicing on a daily basis so he is sure they will do best they can in the tournament.
CNMI will have 10 players in each men and women division who will compete with teams from seven other countries.
