No funding yet for trip to Regionals

The CNMI Little League District has yet to secure funding for the 2011 Asia Pacific Regional Tournament, but is optimistic that it will do so before the Commonwealth’s sluggers leave later this month.

Assistant District Administrator Mike Borja said he is scheduled to meet with acting governor Eloy Inos to check the status of their request for financial assistance and he is positive that despite the financial difficulties the government is facing right now, funds can still be found to allow the CNMI to participate in the ASPAC.

“The governor and the lieutenant governor are avid supporters of youth programs like the Little League and I am sure they will find a way to help us,” said Borja, who CNMI District Administrator James Ada tasked to help secure funding for the ASPAC trip.

Borja estimated the funds needed for the regional tournament between $120,000 and $200,000.

The CNMI will be competing the Big and Senior League divisions of the ASPAC in the Philippines from June 26 to July 1. In the Majors, the CNMI will be in Guam from July 7 to 15, while the Commonwealth’s bets in the Junior League will be in Jakarta, Indonesia from June 26 to 29.

Borja said they have to pay $4,000 entrance fee per team and this will include charges for accommodation. For the Philippines alone, they need to pay $8,000, but that can be lowered down, as they are thinking of booking their own accommodation at cheaper hotels in Manila.

The assistant DA added that a bulk of the total cost of the trip will be used for airfare. The Jakarta trip will be the most expensive, as airfare is expected at around $2,000 per delegate.

Though they have yet to secure funding for the ASPAC participation, Borja encouraged players and managers to continue training. He said they will do their part in raising funds for the trip, so coaches and manager must do theirs, too, and help prepare the Commonwealth’s sluggers.

Borja also said they will do their best to prevent the disaster that struck the CNMI Major All-Stars last year from happening again. The Major All-Stars were stuck in Manila and failed to compete in Surabaya, Indonesia due to lack of confirmed seats and flight delays, as reservations were made in the last minute. The three all-stars squads managed to reach Jakarta last year, but not after funds were secured only a few days before their trip.

Winners in the ASPAC will earn a slot to the World Series. Last year, the CNMI Senior All-Stars ruled the ASPAC and played in the World Series in Bangor, Maine.