San Jose, Tinian Takes Home Back-to-Back Overall Championship
“1.. 2… 3… Crusaders!” cheer the athletes of the San Jose Parish in Tinian.
The team, dressed in black t-shirts labeled, “Crusaders,” beamed with joy as they posed with their trophy on Saturday afternoon.
After four intense and highly competitive days, the 2nd Annual Chalan Kanoa Sports Fest ends with San Jose, Tinian taking home both the Overall Championship Trophy and the Frisbee Championship Trophy with a total of 540 points. They beat their record from last year’s score, and set the record of the shortest time for the obstacle course as well.
Each sport named an MVP from the winning team. Isa Reyes from San Jose, Tinian was the parish’s MVP for Ultimate Frisbee. From San Jose, Saipan, who won the Volleyball Championship, Jericho Castro was named MVP. Mt. Carmel was awarded the Basketball Championship Trophy and their MVP was Bernadette Quitaneg.
Saipan’s unpredictable weather over the days was no match for the parish athletes who gave their all during every game, especially because they had put much time and effort into the preparation of the competitions.
Gerald De Guzman, the coordinator for this year’s Sports Fest, mentioned that it took a total of two months to prepare the event.
“We were expecting that it wouldn’t rain this year. I see that the rain was the only challenge, but everyone got along well and had fun. It’s great to be outdoors and see people smile. Other than the three main sports which were volleyball, basketball, and ultimate frisbee, we had the mini challenges of tug- of- war, an obstacle course, and a spicy- noodle eating contest. Last year’s Sports Fest lasted for only two days, but that wasn’t enough time and everything had to be rushed. This year we’ve extended it to four days and saw that we had a good outcome for the number of people. We’re hoping that there will be a third Diocesan Sports Fest next year with even more support and an even greater number of participants. Thank you to the Youth Commission, clergy, Health Committee, Mt. Carmel School, all volunteers, and most of all the youth.”
It was Father Anthony Aguason’s first time to attend the Sports Fest and one of the biggest events in the diocese he’s been to since arriving on island about a month ago from the Archdiocese of Capiz, Philippines, where he had served as the Archdiocesan Youth Director.
“From the perspective of a priest, seeing all these youth gives me happiness because I believe that this annual sports fest is an opportunity that lets the young people know that the church cares for them– that they have a home and a family if life becomes boring or lonely.
“For next year, I’d want the Sports Fest to not only focus on building the physical well-being, camaraderie, and unity of the parishes, but to also include an activity that will connect everything to Christ. We must build the spiritual love for the church and love for the mission. The future of the church lies in the youth who will soon become the leaders, so if we need to train them spiritually. Overall, the whole event was very nice. Again, I’m happy to see the young and spirited, and I enjoyed celebrating the mass before the start. I agree with Bishop Ryan praising the idea that before starting any activity, we should start with a prayer because it is the prayer that will sanctify our work. Prayer makes ordinary work extraordinary.”
Bishop Ryan was able to give a few words during the Closing and Awarding Ceremony.
“I want to thank all of the parishes and those who are not able to make it for this closing ceremony because I know it takes a lot of hard work, but as I mentioned during the opening mass last Wednesday, that more than competition, we are here to develop ourselves, our character, be better persons, and perhaps appreciate and practice values that are important in daily life. This year’s event wouldn’t have been possible without all our volunteers who have been here since Wednesday and have been planing with the Youth Ministry, players and athletes. What made this year different was that we also included the Commission on Family Life and Marriage and we want to continue to all work together. Finally, thank you to all the parents, coaches, the referees, and the many of you who have given your time to make this year successful, and I hope that next year would be even better as we want to keep improving. I, myself, had fun playing this year, winning once and losing once too, but I look forward to participating more next time.”
With the 2018 Diocesan Sports Fest over, the Youth Commission will continue to work vigorously with other committees and commissions in planning more activities that will invite the youth of the islands, and let them establish firm relationships with each other and the church.
“1… 2… 3… Teamwork!”
