Unexpected power outages as another adversary of sports league organizers is now seen to be worse than bad weather which affects only the events held outdoors.
Department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ Division of Sports and Recreation Director Jose Lizama in an interview yesterday said power outages which became part of the island’s daily life have been delaying the games and brought domino effect the other leagues that are planned ahead.
When one game is cancelled due to unexpected power outages, Lizama said they other leagues had to be pushed to new schedules which in turn affect future sports events, some of which are very important.
At the Gilbert C. Ada Gym, rescheduling of games and sometimes the launching of a sport event seemed to be never ending.
The league organizers, Lizama said “can not do anything about it when power outages cut the game short.” Rescheduling of the game is all they can do.
The Inter-government/business Basketball Tournament for one, has cancelled three games due to power outages. The latest was last Monday’s game schedule between Commonwealth Ports Authority and Legislature, and Department of Public Safety and Aguaguat.
Lizama said they understand the island is having crisis in the power plant and he is not quite sure if the Sports and Recreation can do something about it.
He however, suggests that load shedding be done during daytime because many sports events nowadays are done at nighttime.
The championship game between Ol’ Aces and Advance X-Terminator in the Friends of Mariana Island’s First Intercolor Basketball Tournament was cut short last week due to unexpected power outages, prompting the organizers to reschedule the remaining 3:30 minutes of the game.
The FMI caging, the Saipan Major League are some of the sports event that are scheduled at night time.
The start of SML playoffs was scheduled last night so was the FMI caging resumption, and of course, if the power permits.
