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Saipan readies for return of tournament
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Posted on May 04 2006
While a number of athletic associations are preparing for the 6th Micronesian Games, the quadrennial event won’t be the only multi-cultural on-island happening this summer as the Saipan Fisherman’s Association announced the dates of the 22nd Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament.
In a member’s meeting yesterday afternoon, the SFA unveiled its plan to host the finest anglers in the Pacific on July 1 and July 2. The historic tournament drew crowds of spectators to the massive scale at the Smiling Cove Marina—all of whom were looking to catch a glimpse of the thousands of pounds of marlin, wahoo, mahi mahi, and yellow fin tuna reeled in during the two-day fish-athon.
This time around the planners have settled on the July date as opposed to the holding the spectacular in August because they are looking to avoid the postponements that have plagued the tournament for the past couple of years.
According to Diego Benavente, the calm waters of July combined with the ideal moon phases should provide for some of the best fishing that the tournament has seen for some time.
Organizers also hope that the schedule will attract a large contingent from Guam, and initial reports indicate that the anglers from the south will be coming in full force. Last year there were 98 boats trolling the waters around Saipan, and the goal is to top that number this year.
While organizers are currently refraining from releasing all of the details, they promise another edition of the angling spectacular that left people grinning from gill to gill last August.
In order to host the finest event possible, the SFA is calling upon its members and the business community to show their support as in years past, and organizers are already preparing solicitation letters to get the ball rolling as soon as possible.
The SFA’s next meeting is schedule for next Thursday, May 11, at the Town and Country Restaurant along Chalan Pale Arnold in Gualo Rai.
For more information about the 22nd International Fishing Tournament, contact Frank Tudela at the Marianas Visitors Authority by calling 664-3210. To become a sponsor of the tournament, contact John Guerrero by calling 483-5726.
