Micro Games call for improvements

After the CNMI posted another successful stint in the 2005 Palau South Pacific Mini Games, local leaders in the sporting community have already begun working on the next round of international competition by trying to bring the 2006 Micronesian Games to Saipan.

According to Tony Rogolifoi of the Department of Sports and Recreation, he was going to meet with Gov. Juan N. Babauta in his office yesterday at 4pm to discuss the possibility of hosting the games with Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association president Mike White and a representative from Pacific Trading Corp.

If the CNMI lands the games, Rogolifoi said that the local facilities will need more than a little work. The site director for the Oleai Sports Complex said that a number of major improvements are needed in order for the facilities to be up to snuff. Rogolifoi cited the perpetually leaking roof of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, and plans to expand the window array to allow air to enter rather than to circulate under the bleachers.

Rogolifoi also mentioned that both fields need a major face lift, to include a stadium-type seating area to allow for roughly 2,000 people.

“The last time we hosted the tournament was in 1990 some 15 years ago and it was packed here. It was really packed, and we can see if we’re to host we need additional seatings here and at the track because that’s where the opening ceremonies will be held. We need a seating area where we can house thousands of people who are expecting to come and watch the opening ceremonies,” he said.

The timing for the event is still undecided, but it would be less than a year away if planned to allow for the maximum usage of the local facilities.

“Whenever we usually hold this type of event, we look at the schools. When the kids are out of the schools we can house the tournament because we might be utilizing the buildings for the athletes like a village. We don’t want the visitors to be staying at the hotels because we want them to be comfortable and not to have to spend so much money just to come and compete in the Micro Games,” said Rogolifoi.

Rogolifoi said that a number of organizations will have to work together, and that the timing will be a key to bring the regional competitors back to the CNMI.

“There’s a lot of cooperation needed for us to host that tournament—the priorities are the dates. We have to look at the schools for when they’re out so we can house the athletes at the schools around the island,” he said.