February 9 is Kwajalein Atoll’s big day — a day when sports competitions that have been ongoing since last month will culminate and high-level Kwajalein, RMI and United States officials will gather on Ebeye to honor Memorial Day for the island.

President Jurelang Zedkaia, US Embassy Charge Eric Watnik, Iroij Kotak Loeak, Kwajalein Senator Tony deBrum and Kwajalein Mayor Johnny Lemari headline the program that kicks off mid-morning February 9 at Ebeye.

To spice up this year’s celebration, the Marshall Islands Basketball Federation — with sponsorship and support from Bank of Marshall Islands, the National Olympic Committee, FIBA Oceania, and the Kwajalein Atoll Local Government — is sending the 2010 BOMI Ralik Ratak Shootout champion Team Mili to compete in Kwajalein Day activities and run basketball clinics for students on the atoll.

BOMI is supporting the Basketball Federation’s launch of an ongoing plan to send the BOMI Ralik Ratak Shootout champion to join in Kwajalein Memorial Day competitions this year and beyond. BOMI President Patrick Chen said the bank is delighted to support bringing some of the BOMI Ralik Ratak Shootout excitement to Ebeye for Memorial Day events.

KALGov has scheduled Team Mili to play a Kwajalein all-star team on Monday February 7, the Memorial Day tournament champions on February 8, and Team Kwajalein on February 9. Team Mili will also visit island schools to conduct clinics for junior players as part of the Marshall Islands Basketball Federation's program to improve the level of play throughout the Marshall Islands.

See Photo Gallery with more photos of Team Mili's clinics and activities at Ebeye.