Previous Story
Organizing Committee has new chair
|
Posted on Jan 19 2006
The Micronesian Games Organizing Committee has a new chair.
Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association president and Organizing Committee vice chair Michael White indicated yesterday that newly appointed Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Daisy Villagomez-Bier now chairs the committee.
White said the next meeting for the committee has yet to be set.
Villagomez-Bier takes over from former DCCA secretary Juan L. Babauta, who was instrumental in pushing for the hosting of the Games.
Among the priority task for the committee is securing funding for the hosting of the quadrennial event.
Authorities earlier said that the CNMI needs some $5.8 million to renovate existing facilities and construct new sports facilities to prepare for the Games, which will play host to some 1,500 to 1,700 athletes, coaches, and officials from around the region.
Also, it is not clear whether funds will be available for the construction of grandstands at the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field and the Miguel Basa Softball Field. About $650,000 was appropriated from the Managaha Landing Fees with $500,000 for the grandstands, however, in a transmittal letter to the Legislature, former governor Juan N. Babauta noted that the Finance Department had raised concerns regarding the amount of funds available for the appropriation measure, citing that the remaining fund balance of the Managaha Landing Fees is insufficient for the full amount appropriated for the measure.
Two other laws have been enacted that appropriated funds from the same funding source. Saipan Local Law 14-17 appropriated $600,000 from the Managaha landing fees for the renovation and construction of the Old Garapan Headstart, and S.L.L. 14-18 appropriated $300,000 to fund all Youth Center operation in Saipan.
Also, the Commonwealth Development Authority had earlier offered loaning some $2.9 million for construction and renovations of facilities.
Last month, Juan L. Babauta told the Saipan Tribune that he is still willing to assist in organizing of the Games.
The Micro Games is set to be held on Saipan from June 23 to July 7. The NMI first hosted the regional sports event in 1969 and later in 1990.
