TSL Sports Complex inaugurated

The Tan Siu Lin Sports Complex formally opened on Saturday, offering the sports community an alternative venue for its competitive and recreational tournaments.

The TSL Sports Complex has badminton, basketball, and futsal courts.

Tan Holdings president Jerry Tan led the opening rites of the complex and was joined by twin brother Raymond and Tan Siu Lin himself in the ceremonial ribbon cutting. Tan Siu Lin is the Tan Holdings board chair and father of Raymond and Jerry Tan. Also participating in the ceremony were NMASA president Michael White, Barrigada Mayor Jessie B. Palican, Saipan Mayor Donald Flores, and Rep. Edmund Villagomez.

Jerry Tan during his opening remarks shared to those present at the opening rites how Tan Holdings came up with the idea of building a multi-purpose sports complex.

“About 10 months ago when we were done with planning for the TAGA Sports magazine, I was thinking of another project for 2011. Then I observed the daily rain that caused many cancellations of basketball games, so I realized that Saipan needs indoor facility. Then I started looking around our company’s facility to see if there is something I could do to help,” Tan said.

There is an available facility in Middle Road and initially only a badminton court was built there. Then for three months, plans were made to have additional facilities and then the next four months were spent for renovations and putting up of basketball and futsal courts.

The basketball court is equipped with a scoreboard and adjustable fiberglass backboard and goals. The futsal court, which will be used by the Saipan Soccer School has makeshift goals for all age groups and both courts were coated with rubberized paints for safety.

Raymond Tan during his speech for the inauguration the Saipan Soccer School said the creation of the multi-purpose sports complex is a way of living up to their father’s teachings.

“Our father always taught us to give back to the community and we hope that through supporting sports and building these facilities, we are able to follow his example,” Raymond said.

White, who also had a chance to deliver a brief message during the ceremony, said the complex is a welcome addition to the CNMI sports community, especially now that the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium is under renovation.

“These are wonderful facilities and we will all benefit from them. We would like to thank Tan Holdings for their continued support to the community,” White said.

Other officials from various sports associations and business community and badminton and football players also attended the opening ceremony, which had Century Insurance Corp. president Dave Sablan as emcee.