Oleai enhances CNMI chances to host big events

The grandstand constructed on the south side of the Oleai Sports Complex track and field facility will add weight to CNMI’s capability to host big tournaments.

“If we are presented the opportunity to host regional tournaments, such as the Oceania championships, it’s good to know that we have a new facility that will complement the Oleai Complex,” Northern Marianas Athletics president Kurt Barnes said.

Barnes is among the officials of various sports federations and government agencies who attended the inauguration of the grandstand last week.

Besides the grandstand, which costs $127,450 to build, Northern Marianas Housing Corp, through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also constructed pathways in the complex. The other project costs $47,800.

“The grandstand gives the track and field facility an added value and this will gives us an edge over other island-nations when it comes to bidding for hosting rights of an event,” Barnes said.

The NMA president is proud to say that the Oleai track and field facility is among the best facilities in the region thus earning the hosting rights for the 2008 Oceania Championships and the Oceania Grand Prix, which were held in June.

“Fiji outside Australia and New Zealand has the best track and field facility in the region. We have the second best” Barnes said.

When the CNMI hosted the two Oceania events, construction of the grandstand was not yet done, but still Oceania Athletics Association executive director Yvonne Mullins called the 2008 Oceania Championships as the “best ever” area championships.

Mullins said she hopes they will return here for other regional championships.

In the past three years, the Oleai Sports Complex hosted two athletics events—the athletic competition in the 2006 Micronesian Games and the 2005 Micronesian Regional Championships.

In 2007, the complex also hosted the historic soccer game between the CNMI and Guam. It was the CNMI’s first international game and the event was sanctioned by the East Asian Football Federation.

Local tournaments, which hold the traditional parade of teams, are also using the track and field facility. Next year audience of these events will no longer stand on the sidelines of the track and bring their own chairs, as they just have to be in the bleachers and relax while watching the action unfolds.

Besides providing seats to spectators, Barnes said the grandstand is doubling as training/workout facility for athletes.

“I see athletes running up and down the bleachers, sweating and getting stronger legs,” he said.