MGOC calls for volunteers anew

Little more than a month remains before an estimated 1,400 athletes and coaches descend upon Saipan for the 6th Micronesian Games, and while organizers have had a decent turnout of volunteers from the community to support the games the way it did when the CNMI welcomed the region in 1990, they are still looking for more.

According to Volunteer Committee chairperson Frances Sablan, there are over 100 volunteers already committed to the Games, and the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday night, May 17, at 6pm at the Aging Center.

Triathlon is just one of the 17 sports lined up for this year’s event and Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation president Dirk Sharer thanked all of the volunteers in advance for their support and reminded the multi-sport mavens who will not be competing next month to come out to help their sport host a successful 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-km bike, and 10-km run Olympic-distance race.

“Remember, you need to have credentials [to volunteer in the Micro Games] and of course we’d like to have some volunteers that are knowledgeable about triathlon too,” he said.

Some of the basic issues to be covered will be introduction of all volunteers, the handling of the registration forms, venue assignment, expectations, T-shirt sizes, passport photos, and more.

All prospective volunteers are asked to bring two passport photos for the certification of all volunteers, and those who did not complete and submit a MG 2006 Volunteer Registration Form will be required to do so and return it via fax or email to Sablan

While a number of volunteers have already pledged their service, Sablan is asking for more selfless individuals interested in hosting the best athletes from Micronesia to step up and lend a hand next month.

One of the events that require a little expertise is the Chamorro Dance Performance that will thrill spectators during the Opening Ceremonies on June 23. Practice sessions are ongoing and interested youths (K-12) can contact Sablan for more details.

Uniforms will consist of the traditional style of the Sadi (loin cloth) for males and coconut bra and grass skirt for the females. Sablan also needs approximately 30 students from each school, both public and private, to wear their school colors and matching pom-poms to cheer the athletes as members of the Pep Squad when they parade by at the track.

Aside from the actual Games themselves, Sablan said that she is also looking for 20 volunteers to help with registration, spotters, and the banquet setup for the fundraising Micro Games Golf Tournament and 5km Fun Run, Walk, and Crawl at 7am on May 27 at Laolao Bay Golf Resort.

For more information about becoming a volunteer for the Micronesian Games or any of the other events, contact Sablan by calling 234-3462 or via email at efsablan@pticom.com.