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Organizers advise countries to secure visas
Organizers of the 2015 Little League Asia-Pacific and Middle East Tournament are advising competing countries that still need U.S. visas to start securing their travel documents so they won’t encounter problems entering the CNMI.
Yusuke Kuroda struck out the CNMI’s top of the order in the seventh to help the Philippines Senior All-Stars to a 7-6 victory over the host team during the 2008 Asia Pacific Regional Championships at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. (Mark Rabago)
This was the concern raised by committee member Walter Macaranas during the second organizational meeting last Tuesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
Tournament director and former CNMI district administrator James A. Ada said he would immediately e-mail all competing countries of this information.
Saipan will host the regionals tentatively set on June 26-July 5 and since the CNMI is now under U.S. federal law its immigration status require some countries to have U.S. visas upon entering the Commonwealth.
Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam need U.S. visas to enter the United States or any of its territories.
Saipan last hosted the regional tournament in 2008 when it was still only countries in Asia and the Pacific competing and the Middle East was grouped with Europe and Africa.
During the meeting, Bob Guerrero was also appointed as the umpires committee chair, while Gary Cruz said that he is interested in volunteering to head medics and police.
Heads for the transportation and logistics committees are the only positions that need to be filled up.
CNMI District Administrator Mike Borja said they would write a letter to acting Fire chief Thomas Manglona to ask for medical assistance.
Another meeting is scheduled on Feb. 17 at 10am also at the Ada Gym.
The Philippines, Guam, the CNMI, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, India, and Vietnam are the teams that signified their intention to join the regional tournament. They are spread out in the Junior, Senior, and Big league divisions.
