MAJURO (Marshall Islands) - The Marshall Islands Basketball Federation (MIBF) celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Ralik Ratak National Championships, continuing the tradition of the annual national basketball tournament of the country.

Launched in 1999, the national championships formerly known as Ralik Ratak Shootout Basketball Tournament have since served as the main source of talents for the Marshall Islands in their ever-improving local basketball scene.

"The national tournament is where the best players compete and we have seen the growth and development of Marshall Island players over the years," shared MIBF President Candice Guavis.

The Ralik Ratak National Championships have been the main avenue for aspiring players age 14-19 from several squads among the region slugging it out regularly for prestigious titles and growth vision of Marshal Islands basketball.

Potential National Team members are also scouted in the annual event, where young players show their talent and display a glimpse of the Marshall Islands’ future.

"We scout players during the competition for our national team representatives. This tournament has served as the main source of scouting and building of our national team for the tournaments such as the Micronesian Games," said Guavis.

Photo: Women's Division Champion, Team Lae

The 2020 Ralik Ratik National Championships witnessed Team Lae taking home the double championship finish in the Men's and Women's division.

In two years, Ralik Ratak tournament standouts will have a chance to don national colors and show their wares on an even bigger stage when the Republic of Marshall Islands host the 2022 Micronesian Games.

The staging of the 2022 Micronesian Games will be groundbreaking milestones of MIBF -- a registered, by-lawed non-profit organization in the RMI since 2003 -- on top of being a long-time member of FIBA Oceania for over two decades.

MIBF, FIBA Oceania, and Marshall Islands National Olympic Committee have also worked on a bevy of sports programs in the last twenty years and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future.

And that will start in 2022 when RMI shoots to either replicate its double-silver medal finish in both Men's and Women's division of the Micronesia Games in 2018 or surpass it in flying colors with a breakthrough championship.

For more information and videos of the games check MIBF's Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/mibf.mhl/

FIBA