Overhauling the system

I was bothered when I first read reports last week about the lack of government support for the South Pacific Games athletes. However, after putting some thought into it I realized the reports were devoid of factual information. I felt that I should also stand up for and support the NMASA and the government.

The CNMI government did give the Micronesian Games team $50,000.00 toward their expenses in 1998, and at the same time said they would have difficulties matching that for the South Pacific Games one year later, and this was understandable as the cost for Guam to be considerably less.

This decision was made clear at our monthly NMASA meetings for coaches and officials in all sports involved. From the beginning NMASA stated that unless the economic picture drastically changed, the government would not be able to contribute cash this time. After all, compared to the Micronesian Games, which cost us about $700.00 per person, the Guam Games would cost a little over $100.00 per person. And most sports, given the amount of time until the ’99 Games, should be able to raise that amount without any problems. But as a common practice here, it’s better to sit back and hope someone would come to the rescue them at the last moment.

I personally feel that every individual in any sports team should be required to raise funds since we do not have people to do that. The Guam SPG was probably the cheapest games we have attended as we were only required to pay for our airfare and uniforms. Guam paid for our accommodation and meals, not only for us but for the nearly 3,000 athletes and officials from 20 countries for 11 days.

The CNMI Government did contribute $50,000.00 for the youth-oriented Northern Marianas Sports Challenge, and this was committed and received even prior to the Micronesian Games.

Probably over half of the athletes participating in SPG were employed or of working age, and for them to come up with the required funding for the ’99 Games should not have been a problem at all. These games were planned years ago and those sports who have been involved knew well in advance that this was happening and they should have been prepared both in funding and training. This funding issue was brought up at every NMASA meeting and for those who attended, they knew very well where NMASA and the CNMI government stood. Let’s stop begging from the government and our congressmen for help at the last moment.

Another money issue that needs to be addressed is the extra funds that would have to be raised so that parents and spouses of athletes could join them in hotels during tournaments. This practice is not only disruptive but costly. I don’t feel that the public or the government should be responsible for these additional expenses.
That should be left to individuals if they wish to be seen by their relatives.

A lot of money is wasted because of these people who are not officially part of competing teams and unqualified teams or individuals participating in the games. If sports are not organized, have not raised funds, have failed to meet deadlines, they should not participate.

I would like to reiterate my feelings on establishing a revolving travel fund (as has been earlier requested by our office), set up by the government for major international competition such as multi-sports events like the South Pacific Games, Micronesian Games, regional and world tournaments, to match funds raised by the respective sports team traveling.

We need stricter qualifications especially in team sports, we must qualify in previous games and get organized more than a year in advance. And finally, harsh penalties to those who abuse the rules set down by NMASA or the specific tournament games rules referring to alcohol, driving vehicles, early departures and unsportsmanlike conduct during the event.

Bill Sakovich