Benefits of hosting an area championships

Now that the Oceania U18 and Open Championships are over, it is time to take stock and look at the incalculable benefits that have now flowed to Northern Marianas Athletics in particular and to the local sporting community in general.

First and foremost the CNMI now has a large number of athletes who have experienced international athletics and will be keen to make their presence felt, initially in their own country, then in Micronesian regional competition, and then in the wider Pacific region.

The six-year-old track at the Oleai Sports Complex is in excellent condition and with the new equipment, newly rekindled enthusiasm, and newly found talent the sport should flourish in CNMI in the years ahead.

Many of the CNMI athletes achieved personal bests, and some excelled. There were two athletes, in particular, who stood out, as they seemed always to be on the track or in the field. They were Ketson “Jack” Kabiriel and Jacque Wonenberg. How many events between them did they enter? Seventeen-year-old Wonenberg entered the heptathlon (seven events) plus seven additional events. Kabiriel, aged 34, entered the octathlon (eight events) plus the 400m hurdles and the 3,000m steeplechase. They had busy schedules, but seemed to revel in it.

In addition to the athletes there is now a cadre of experienced technical officials who would be capable of running any regional meet that they were called on to do. We look forward to seeing CNMI technical officials traveling to other Oceania competitions south of the equator.

Putting together an international sports meeting for athletes and officials from 21 different countries requires a lot of planning, negotiating, networking and patience. These skills are eminently valuable for people from any walk of life.

The benefits flow on to the local economy as well with hoteliers, caterers, transport companies, and tourist businesses all collect their share of the inflow of money.

Palau and the Cook Islands are moving into this territory with their preparation for the Micro Games and the Mini Pacific Games. In the years ahead there will be many competitions in search of a home and national federations are urged to seriously consider bidding for these competitions and help build a lasting legacy in their country. [B][I](Oceania Athletics)[/I][/B]