Basketball New Zealand

FIBA Oceania

The sporting community of the Northern Mariana Islands will have a lasting legacy as a result of the upcoming FIBA Oceania Tournament.

The tournament will be held in Saipan from June 21-26. Mondo and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) have donated two portable basketball backstops and backboards, to replace the old ones in the Ada Gym, which no longer complied with FIBA rules.

The new backstops are similar to those used in NBA arenas. They can be folded up and moved when the gym is needed for other purposes. The new backstops were shipped to Saipan free of charge by FIBA Oceania. FIBA and Mondo have also donated new shot clocks to replace the non-functioning ones formerly at the gym. Once again, FIBA Oceania covered the cost of shipping.

And just recently, the Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands announced that Molten, makers of the official basketball used in all FIBA competitions, has donated 40 brand-new, top-of-the-line official basketballs and ball racks for the tournament. The balls and ball racks arrived on Saipan late last week.

The basketballs are the same model that is used at the Olympics and World Championships. All of the equipment will stay in Saipan after the Tournament, as BANMI passes these gifts on to the people of the CNMI.

BANMI estimates the value of the donated equipment and shipping at more than $40,000.

Finally, the Ada Gym is getting a major facelift. Restrooms and locker rooms have been refurbished, the playing court has been cleaned and repaired and is being relined in accordance with the new FIBA rules. The scoreboard has been fixed, the bleachers have been repainted and the outside windows and doors are being repaired. All of this will help the CNMI put its best face forward when the Pacific comes to town for the tournament.

Just as important, the new equipment and the renovated facilities will serve as a lasting legacy for the people of the CNMI to enjoy for years to come.

Elias Rangamar, BANMI president and chair of the organizing committee, expressed his sincere appreciation to Molten, Mondo, FIBA and FIBA Oceania for their generous donations.

“I cannot say strongly enough how grateful we are for these generous donations of sporting equipment. The Ada Gym is a facility for all of the people, and as a result of this Tournament, the facility will be so much better for everyone to use and enjoy.”

Australia and New Zealand, along with Pacific powerhouses Guam and New Caledonia, will send men’s and women’s teams to compete with the CNMI’s best.