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Posted on Feb 27 2006
Now that Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s recent announcement has enabled the CNMI to host the 6th Micronesian Games, the onus has now fallen upon Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association president Michael White to pull off what many deemed impossible as little as two weeks ago by welcoming an estimated 2,000 athletes, coaches, and family members to Saipan.
With Micronesian Games Council president William Keldermans and the Palau National Olympic Committee welcoming of the CNMI back to sporting world, the task of wrangling the hosting duties has now given way to reeling in sponsors from the private sector.
Fitial said that he had the assurance from “credible private sector volunteers and financial contributors” that Saipan will host the Games “with the understanding that the financial cost to the CNMI will be substantially borne by our private sector, given the severe financial weakness of our local government.”
The process of making numerous phone calls and knocking on doors has already begun, and not too soon as the planning committee has just under four months to ready the venues, housing facilities, transportation needs of all concerned prior to the June arrivals.
Fitial recently returned from Guam where he convened with Admiral Charles J. Liedig Jr. over the weekend. While there were several topics up for discussion, Fitial said that he was going to request permission to utilize some 1,200 military cots that will serve as beds for the visiting athletes during their stay in the proposed “athletes village” at Marianas High School.
In addition to the cots, Fitial said that he will also be requesting a fly-by during the opening ceremonies at 6pm on June 23.
