A total of 19 teams will be competing in the 2014 Rudimch Enterprises Government/Business League which had its formal opening ceremony last August 25 at the Palau National gym.

Nine teams will be playing the Government Division namely MOF Omsangel (sponsored by Ministry of Finance); MOJ Lawmen (sponsored by Franco’s Company); MOH BandAid (sponsored by Ministry of Health); KSG Royals (sponsored by Koror State Government); PPUC Electric Eel (sponsored by Palau Public Utilities Corporation); Team MALII (sponsored by KSG – Department of Conservation and Law Enforcement); Presidents X Men (sponsored by Office of the President); MOE Spiders (sponsored by Senator Raynold B. Oilouch); and Team ABC (sponsored by PVA/PCC/FIC/PNOC).

On the other hand, 10 squads will comprise the Business Division that will include NECO (sponsored by NECO Group); Mason’s Mercury (sponsored by Mason’s Hardware); PPR Shark Attack (sponsored by Palau Pacific Resort); WCTC Powerball (sponsored by Western Caroline Trading Company);Yrang’s Salon (sponsored by Yrang’s Beauty Salon);Fish N Fins Hunters (sponsored by Fish N Fins); PRR Dragons (sponsored by Palau Royal Resort); PPR Stingrayz (sponsored by Palau Pacific Resort); SDA Crusaders (sponsored by Surangel and Sons Company);and Island Rhythm (sponsored by Sure Save Mart).

Participating teams will play a single round robin with the top 8 teams in each division advancing to the division playoffs and finals. The teams will then play across their division to determine the overall champion of the 2014 GBL season finals. The league has evolved from not only raising awareness for the physical fitness and social health of the various employees of the government and private sector, but also raising awareness in conservation and protection of the environment.

Team MALII, which consist of the Koror State Rangers of the Department of Conservation and Law Enforcement, is the newest team to join the league. A part of their involvement is to raise conservation awareness for the Ngederrak conservation area and the rest of the conservation area in Koror.

Their mascot “CAPTAIN MALII” the Napoleaon Wrasse made his debut to the sports arena when he showed up during the opening ceremony of the league. He joined the players, coaches, officials and fans to thank Rudimch Enterprises as the league main sponsor and the rest of the team sponsors for their financial support to the program.

The tournament, which is supervised by the Palau Basketball Federation (PBF), is a tobacco, alcohol and drug free program. Any violators will be banned from participating. For more information call Topps at 488-4491. By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)