SaipanCell unveils Micro Games long distance phone cards

Just a couple weeks ago, SaipanCell Communications publicly expressed its intention in assisting organizers of the upcoming 6th Micronesian Games.

In order to help manage over 1,300 athletes and countless events that will be held from June 23 to July 2, SaipanCell provided the Micronesian Games Organizing Committee with 25 Motorola Push-To-Talk phones and airtime.

Still determined to assist in putting on an event that will be remembered for a long time, SaipanCell disclosed yesterday that it has already produced Micro Games long distance phone cards, which will be on sale this Monday at its Gualo Rai headquarters and its branch inside Price Costco.

According to prepaid sales assistant James K. Lee, about 4,000 $10 cards, 2,000 $20 cards, and about 2,000 $2 cards are already ready for distribution.

Lee indicated that the $2 cards will be distributed to the MGOC and will be placed in gift bags that will be presented to each athlete, coach, and official that will take part in the Games. He added that gift bags will also include sports bottles donated by SaipanCell.

“Those are just for the athletes and officials in the Games,” he said. “We know that almost all of them will be trying to get in contact with family back home, so we’re providing them with those cards, and we’ll also be setting up eight phones in the Olympic Village, so they would have easy access and won’t have trouble calling home.”

Lee, who will also be competing in the Games as part of the CNMI Men’s National Basketball Team, disclosed that not only is SaipanCell focusing on throwing support for the Games, it is also determined to assist the CNMI teams that will be competing as well.

“We’re inviting all the sport federations that are going to be involved in the Games and giving them the opportunity to raise some money,” he said. “With our $10 and $20 cards, they can pick up some cards and sell them, and get 10 percent of what they sell.”

Lee said the federation must designate a person within the organization to serve as the contact person with SaipanCell. The federation official will then sign an agreement form and will be distributed a certain number of cards and will be given an invoice. Money from the cards sold will then be turned in to SaipanCell and the federation will receive 10 percent of the sell.

“And even when they come back, as long as all the cards are accounted for, they can get more cards,” Lee said.

This is part of our commitment to help out for the Micro Games,” he said. “[But] we didn’t want to just help the Micro Games, we also wanted to expand and lend a hand to the sports federations. It’s a win, win, win situation.”

Lee added that 10 percent of sales made through cards that are sold by SaipanCell will be contributed to the MGOC, and that while sports federations get 10 percent of their sales, the MGOC will get another 10 percent from cards sold by the federations.

“So every regular customer that we have is also going to be supporting the Micro Games, and if they buy from the federations, they will be supporting the Micro Games and the teams,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lee said a SaipanCell will have a booth at the Olympic Village which will be open from 6pm to 8pm from June 21 to July 2. A representative will be selling cards at the Olympic Village cafeteria from 11:30am to 1:30pm on those days.

“It will be convenient for them. We’re just trying to make it easier for them so they have a good time,” he said.

For more information, contact Lee at 235-7243 or stop by the Gualo Rai headquarters.