MGOC donates $15K in equipment to NMA

CNMI track and field athletes try out the new equipment donated by the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee to the Northern Marianas Athletics at one of the NMSA warehouses in Chalan Kiya.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Some good news for a change to CNMI track and field athletes ramping up their training for the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022.

With the Oleai track and field facility off-limits until May as it undergoes resurfacing, Northern Marianas Athletics got a timely assist from the Mini Games Organizing Committee after it donated roughly $15,000 worth of training equipment that included weights, bars, a treadmill, a stationary bike, dumb bells, racks, among others, to the national athletics federation.

In a statement, the NMA thanked the MGOC for the donation of the much needed equipment, especially with the opening of the Mini Games a little over two months away.

“On behalf of Northern Marianas Athletics board, coaches and athletes, we would like to send our deepest thanks and gratitude to the Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee, its chair Mr. Marco Peter, CEO Mr. Ben Babauta, and the rest of the hard-working Mini Games committee members for approving our request for weight training equipment and temporary training facility as we await the refurbishing of the Oleai Sports Complex track and field facility.”

CNMI track and field athletes and their coaches are all smiles at one of the NMSA warehouses in Chalan Kiya after the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee donated weight training equipment to the Northern Marianas Athletics. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The statement continued by thanking the Joeten Dai Dai Foundation, which last February signed up as a Platinum Sponsor of the quadrennial event. The price tag for such sponsorship is $100,000.

“The equipment was directly contributed through part of the Dai Dai Foundation’s sponsorship pact to the Pacific Mini Games. We are forever indebted to the Joeten Dai Dai Foundation and all other the sponsors that are stepping up to the challenge to making this Games a reality. Again, we thank you for believing in us that we can all make the athletes’ experience more special and enriching,” NMA added.

NMA president Ramon “Ray” Tebuteb personally extended his gratitude to the MGOC for making the donation of training equipment possible.

CNMI track and field athletes try out the new equipment donated by Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

“Northern Marianas Athletics is so grateful and appreciative for the equipment and training implements the Mini Games Organizing Committee contributed to our athletes and coaches.”

Peter, for his part, said the MGOC is proud to see local businesses continuously reinvest in the CNMI’s people and community.

“Joeten, through their generous sponsorship of the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022, acquired new gym equipment for the Northern Marianas Athletics. Not only will the equipment be used for the Games, but the community will continue to benefit from the equipment long after the Games have ended.”

“I want to thank Joeten for their unwavering support of the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022 and generous contribution. The advent of the Games is reigniting the spirit of community, influencing the reinvestment in the NMI and its people. We have been very fortunate to have private community partners and leaders invest not only their time and resources, but also commit staff to ensure our Mini Games are a success,” he added.

The weight training equipment are housed at the Northern Mariana Sports Association warehouses in Chalan Kiya.