Ball moving in preparation for 2006 Micronesian Games

The ball is already rolling for the hosting of the 2006 Micronesian Games here on Saipan as the executive committee met for the first time yesterday at the Governor’s Office to discuss important matters.

Headlining the talks was the push to get funding for renovations and construction of sports facilities that will host between 1,500 to 1,700 athletes, coaches, and officials during the Games, which will be held from June 23 to July 7 next year.

During the meeting, committee chair Juan L. Babauta disclosed that aside from the $2.9-million loan offered by the Commonwealth Development Authority and the pending $500,000 from House Bill 14-378, the CNMI would also be getting financial assistance for the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium through FEMA.

“On top of that, we’re working with FEMA to mitigate the [Gilbert C.] Ada Gym as a major shelter for evacuees during typhoons or any disaster,” Babauta disclosed. “We’re almost there [in terms of] finalizing this mitigation grant to use the grant to fix the roof of the gym, provide typhoon shutters, fix the broken glass and fund air-conditioners for the [multi-purpose] room, as well as provide back-up generators.”

Babauta also explained that two letters have already been drafted and addressed to special advisor for Capitol Impact Project Chuck Jordan to request for CIP funds that can be used to upgrade the facilities.

“I know there’s some commitment for CIPs but I know there’s some lapses also on previous projects that the governor might be able to scratch and submitted for re-appropriation,” he said.

As for the CDA loan, Babauta said the money is ready to be released and all that is needed is a repayment plan.

“They can release that anytime,” he said. “We need to know the budget of each committee so we can use that to submit our request on how we can get that repayment back through CIP money or legislative appropriation.”

Babauta added that the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs is also working on getting small grants from FEMA for repairing the fences of the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field and the Miguel Basa Softball Field, which were damaged from typhoons Chaba and Tingting.

“I think we’re going to pull this together and everybody is just ready to start organizing. We’re going to be meeting weekly for the next month or two,” Babauta said.

Vice chair Michael White also explained that time doesn’t favor the CNMI and a lot of work needs to be done.

“We’re going to get everything done if we work hard starting today and hit the ground running…we’re going to get everything done, but there isn’t anytime to waste at all at this point,” he said.

Meanwhile, members of the executive committee are already designated to head various committees.

Division of Sports and Recreation director Tony Rogolifoi heads the sports committee; Rudolfo Pua and Bobby Winkfield head the accommodations, food, and transportation committee; retired judge Ed Manibusan, Marian Aldan-Pierce, and Marcie Tomokane head the finance, fundraising, and marketing committee; Victoria King-Taitano heads the protocol, foreign affairs, and programs committee, Juan I. Tenorio heads the logistics, sports facilities, repairs, and maintenance committee; Rose Igitol and Lisa Black head the opening ceremony, closing ceremony, entertainment, medals and awards committee; Department of Public Safety commissioner Santiago Tudela heads the security committee; Joaquin Tenorio heads the medical services committee; Tony Satur heads the volunteers committee; and KMCV sports director Bob Coldeen heads the public relations and media committee.

All chairpersons are urged to submit names of members of their committees during the next meeting set for next Monday.