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IAAF approves NMA grant for track
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Posted on Mar 24 2008
Northern Marianas Athletics secretary general Robin Sapong announced yesterday that the International Association of Athletics Federation would fund the measurement certification of the Oleai Track and Field Facility inside the Susupe Sports Complex.
Sapong said Oceania Athletics Association gave him the confirmation that the IAAF has approved the funding that would certify the Oleai track, which is one of the IAAF’s requirements.
The measurement certification is one of IAAF’s requirements in terms of conducting the 2008 OAA Area Championship and Grand Prix Series on a certified track.
“With the help from [Oceania Area Group representative] Bill Bailey, IAAF president [Lamine Diack] agreed to fund the certification of the Oleai track,” said Sapong.
Sapong said he was informed by OAA that the Oleai track does not meet the IAAF measurement standards during the council meeting in November 2007. “I was shocked to hear that our excellent, all-weather facility was not certified.”
He said a surveyors company authorized to conduct IAAF measurement certification will arrive on Saipan and carry out the measurement report and after that, the IAAF will issue the certification. The amount for this project is over $10,900 and does not include repairs on the track.”
He added NMA immediately sought IAAF’s assistance through OAA executive director Yvonne Mullins because of its commitment to host the Oceania Championship and Grand Prix. “However, before the track certification can be accomplished, damages along the track had to be [repaired].”
Sapong said having the Oleai track certified would attract athletes that will join the Beijing Olympics in August this year. “[It] will also benefit the CNMI’s tourism market as it will be one of the certified tracks in Oceania. We are seeking the public’s help in maintaining our track [in good condition].”
Sapong added they are now seeking the local business community’s help in supporting them in hosting the event from June 21 to 28.
“The local organizing committee is working very hard to ensure that [Saipan] host this event as it will be by far the biggest athletics event in the North Pacific Region.”
For more information, email Sapong at sapong@pticom.com.
