‘Monumental task ahead of us’

With the hosting of the 2006 Micronesian Games only about nine months away, the Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association is doing what it could to prepare the CNMI delegation for the quadrennial event.

During its monthly meeting last night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium conference room, NMASA president Mike White informed all in attendance that the names of coaches and their qualifications must be submitted to NMASA by the body’s next meeting, which is set for Oct. 6.

“As soon as possible we got to get this going,” White said. “I’ve been preaching this for the past couple of years. We saw the benefits of preparations at the Mini Games. I’m hoping to get everybody started and crack the whip on you guys to get you organizing and going.”

Among the sports proposed to be featured during the Games, which will be held from June 23 to July 7, include athletics, basketball, baseball for men, beach volleyball, golf, softball, slow pitch softball, spear fishing, sailing, swimming, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, outrigger canoeing, volleyball, wrestling for men, weightlifting, and Micronesian all around.

“The sports proposed depend on whether facilities are there and whether the organization is there,” White said, stressing that it has yet to be confirmed whether all mentioned sports will be featured.

White echoed what Division of Sports and Recreation director Tony Rogolifoi said last week as to the next step being to create an organizing committee.

An executive order consisting of the names of various individuals who will be a part of the committee is currently with the governor, who was earlier expected to sign the order on Tuesday. The signing, however, was postponed.

“We hope it gets signed as soon as possible,” White said. “It’s going to set up an organizing committee consisting of about 10 to 15 people.”

With the Games just around the corner, White reiterated that preparing in a timely matter is very important.

“Everyday is important,” he said. “I’m sure that the governor has good reasons and I know he wants to have it reviewed by his legal counsel and that’s fine. I understand he knows the need to get this rolling as soon as we can and I’m certain he will do just that but timing is critical at this point. The Games are only nine months away and we really do need to get started as soon as we can.”

White said he was not at liberty to disclose the names of the individuals being recommended for the committee.

Also, an advisory committee will be created and will consist of representatives of various government agencies.

Meanwhile, NMASA recognized all athletes who competed under the CNMI flag at the recent Palau South Pacific Mini Games with a recognition banquet at the Saipan Grand Hotel Wednesday night.

All athletes were presented with medals of participation, which were given to the delegation while in Palau.

During a coaches meeting midway through the Games, coaches and White agreed to hold on to the medals until the delegation returned to the CNMI.

“The medals that we gave out were participation medals,” White said during an interview. “You say that you win even just by participating and to a certain extent that’s true. I think we’re past the stage where we want to settle for just participating. We’re looking for actual triumphs and medals in the Games

White said the recognition was well deserved as all who took part had to work hard in preparing and competing in the Games.

“Its nice to recognize everybody, which we did for the efforts that they did put out in getting ready for the Games and in participating in the Games,” he said. “It’s hard to do this. People train for six to eights months a year and they should be recognized a little for what they did and that’s what we did.”

White also expressed his confidence that the CNMI would put on a good performance during the Micro Games.

“When we host these Games, I expect we’re going to do a whole lot better in the medal department next year,” he said.