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Babauta pleased with MAC
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Posted on Dec 15 2005
Many familiar faces that had a hand in the success of the CNMI’s athletics program were in the crowd during Wednesday night’s opening ceremonies of the 2nd Micronesian Athletics Championships—including recently retired Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Juan L. Babauta.
The man who was the vanguard of the campaign to secure the 2006 Micronesian Games said that he was happy to see the first international competition taking place on the facility that he helped to bring about.
“I think it’s great. I’m glad that it turned out to be a very nice evening. The athletes have started and are prepared and it’s going to be a great competition that will be highlighted by the closing ceremonies,” he said.
Babauta said that he hopes that the MAC is just the tip of the iceberg for the CNMI, and that the islands will see the full force of the competitive spirit in the summer when over 1,700 athletes and supporters touchdown on Saipan for the Micro Games.
“We are hoping that a bigger crowd comes out for the 2006 Micronesian Games in June. Like the Mayor said, this is the first Pac Region comp since we opened up the track. This is used for our local people, at the same time we can bring in other athletes from around the Pacific aw well as around the world,” he said.
Babauta said that even though he is retired, his ambition to cultivate Saipan into a haven for athletic excellence to lure some of the planet’s most talented athletes is still alive an well, and that he plans to continue to push for his plans.
“We know we can have our U.S. athletes as well as foreign athletes might come down here to train for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. We’re still working out. It’s not a closed deal at this point in time. The conversations are still continuing and I hope the new officials and new secretaries take it from here,” he said.
