Sports facilities

Although sports facilities in the NMI may not compare with recreational facilities in many states in the U.S. including Hawaii, Saipan does have adequate facilities for most of the islands’ needs, with few exceptions.

There are some very good facilities such as the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field, American Memorial Park tennis courts, the new track and field in Oleai, several gyms, and a number of first-class golf courses. In most cases they are more than adequate for the islands’ needs, but there are just not enough of them.

The real problem, as I see it in the NMI, with sports facilities is the “maintenance and care for them,” and I don’t mean by the government or the private owners, but by the users—the players.

During the recent Micronesian Games the government was not able to commit cash to help fund the Games, but the governor did commit a labor force, and those facilities were put into very good condition. The workers who renovated or constructed new facilities did a fabulous job, and were working hard from the day the Games was proclaimed a “go.”

Under the direction of Department of Community and Cultural Affairs and Division of Sports and Recreation, and with support from the private sector for supplies and Department of Public Works and the Commonwealth Utilities Corp, the facilities were topnotch for the Games.

The biggest concern is maintenance of them, and that is up to each individual player, coach, and official. If you want to use the facilities, please take care of them. There is no reason individuals cannot take more responsibility and have some pride in their respective facilities, but they must help keep them clean, and repair them.

I think this responsibility should become part of every league and tournament’s administration. The players must put something back into “their” facility so it will be around for future athletes.

I would further recommend that future sports staff hired by DCCA and DSR obtain college degrees in these specific fields. Just because one was a good athlete, does not mean they are a good coach or sports administrator. Most of those currently in the positions are doing good jobs, but there could be major improvements with that extra knowledge obtained from going to school in the field of Sports and Recreation, and there are people currently employed elsewhere on the island. [B][I](Bill Sakovich)[/I][/B]