Simram gains leadership insight at FIBA Oceania youth program

NORTHERN Mariana Islands Basketball Federation member Sylvina Simram took part in the 2025 Oceania Youth Leadership Program from June 2 to 6 in Suva, Fiji.

It was a five-day workshop of leadership, culture, and connection to benefit and inspire the next wave of basketball players in the Pacific.

In an interview with Variety, Simram said the program aims to empower young individuals to develop leadership skills that go beyond basketball and can be applied in various areas of life.

“We were able to go through various courses offered by FIBA [the International Basketball Federation] and execute what we have learned such as coaching children and presenting our proposed projects to our community.”

She said she gained valuable insights into leadership development, community engagement, and youth empowerment strategies that could greatly benefit the CNMI.

“One key takeaway was the importance of using sports as a platform to build character, discipline, and teamwork among young people,” Simram said. “I also learned effective ways to create inclusive programs that encourage participation from diverse backgrounds, which is especially important for a close-knit community like the CNMI.”

The five-day workshop highlighted goal-setting and personal development techniques, 3x3 on-court lessons with students, and community engagement.

Twenty youth leaders from 11 countries and jurisdictions across the Pacific took part in this year’s program.

Simram was informed about it by NMIBF President James Lee. She applied and was selected to represent the CNMI by FIBA Oceania.

Overall, Simram said, the workshop was exciting. “If I were to get this opportunity again, I would definitely take it,” she added.

She also encourages other young adults in the community to get involved with programs offered by FIBA Oceania.

Interested individuals can reach out to the NMIBF through its Instagram account or Facebook page.