The NMI National Women’s Fast-pitch Softball Team will have its long-awaited debut in the 2024 Micronesian Games when it takes on host Marshall Islands today at 10am in Majuro (8am Saipan time).
The opening day of the softball competition will also feature the two other teams in the field—Palau and Pohnpei—as they collide in the 4pm match. The competition format is round-robin in the preliminary and double elimination in the playoffs.
“Numbers were drawn to settle who would play for the opening game of the three-day tournament. We’ll have the privilege to play against the home team RMI in the first ever softball game held at their new facility. After the conclusion of the two games, we will have a clearer idea of how the schedule will look and have a better idea how our opponents play,” team manager Manny Sablan said.
In weightlifting, Jaden Andrew and Leo Cristobal will compete in the men’s 67kg class today, starting at 11am at the International Convention Center, while Kaya Rasa will have her event for the 59kg class at 2pm. The rest of the team, Riella Ichiuo (76kg), NMI flag bearer Antonette Labausa (81kg) , Lucio Eugenio (96kg) , and Joseph Pangelinan (89), will have their respective competitions on Tuesday, June 18.
Athletics, basketball teams arrive in Majuro
Team Marianas’ athletics and basketball squads reached the Marshall Islands Sunday night to join tennis, softball, weightlifting, and beach volleyball at the Athletes Village in Majuro. With the two groups making it to Marshalls, only the NMI National Wrestling Team is left on Saipan, as it won’t be arriving in Majuro until this Wednesday, June 19.
The NMI Women’s Basketball Team will see action right away as it plays Nauru today at 5:30pm (3:30pm Saipan time) at the Educational Cultural Center. The NMI is in Group B of the pool play in women’s basketball, joining Chuuk, Marshall Islands, and Nauru. Defending champion Guam is in Pool A with Kiribati and Pohpei.
In the men’s division, the NMI is in Pool A with Guam, Chuuk, Kiribati, and Pohnpei. The NMI Men’s Basketball Team will take a rest today, as its first game is not until Tuesday at 1pm (11am Saipan time), against Kiribati. Pool B has Kosrae, Marshals, Nauru, Palau, and Yap.
Meanwhile, after its arrival in Majuro, the 22-member NMI athletics delegation will have a two-day rest, as they won’t be competing at the track until June 19. (PR)
Source: Softball, weightlifting start competition
