Sablan named NMSA executive director

Northern Marianas Sports Association executive director Carline Sablan is looking forward to working with all the stakeholders for the improvement of the Oleai Sports Complex. (Contributed Photo)

Northern Marianas Sports Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Carline Sablan as its executive director.

Sablan, a former development analyst of the Commonwealth Development Authority and member of a local football club, will oversee the management, maintenance, and operations of the Oleai Sports Complex under the direction and supervision of the NMSA board.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to join NMSA under the supervision of and framework set by the NMSA board of directors. The association is poised to really develop its vision and build on past accomplishments. I look forward to being a part of the effort to bring the association to the next level,” Sablan said.

The NMSA executive director acknowledged the challenges that comes with her new post, especially at these trying times so she is requesting for the community’s support as the association works with the all the stakeholders to push for the improvement of the Oleai Sports Complex and make its facilities safer and suitable for public use.

“We have a myriad of challenges. The Oleai Sports Complex is in dire need of repairs. Our facilities need to be in tip-top shape to give our athletes proper training venues and help them prepare for on and off-island competitions,” Sablan said.

The facilities at the Oleai Sports Complex are also used by other members of the community for recreation and health and wellness activities. Schools and other organizations, both from the public and private sectors, also utilize the sports complex for their events and NMSA is anticipating requests for usage will start coming in once things are back to normal and the COVID-19 pandemic is finally over.

Sablan added the recent grant that NMSA received from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, through the Office of the Governor, will definitely help the association work on the improvement projects at the Oleai Sports Complex and get its facilities ready for sports and community events.

“Our understanding is that funding has already been approved for the needed repairs and upgrades of our facilities. We commit to working with the Office of the Governor, the Mayor’s Office, the Northern Marianas Housing Corp., the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, and all relevant agencies in seeing these projects through,” said Sablan.

FEMA, through its Public Assistance Program, allocated $1,678,781.49 in federal funding to the Office of the Governor to repair the damage the Oleai Sports Complex sustained from Super Typhoon Yutu in 2018.

“We also will be working closely with our national sports federations and the COVID-19 Task Force on plans for ‘opening up’ the Oleai Sports Complex. While it is essential to the physical and mental well-being of residents and athletes to return to physical activity, we recognize that this return will need to be gradual. Additionally, we recognize that there will be variation in what sports and activities are allowed. We want to do everything possible to help our community resume their activities and our athletes return to their respective sports safely and responsibly,” Sablan said.

The Oleai Sports Complex will get a needed facelift, as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded a $1,678,781.49 in federal funding to the Office of the Governor to repair the damage the facility sustained from Super Typhoon Yutu. (Saipan Tribune)

Meanwhile, the NMSA board led by its president Jerry Tan welcomed Sablan to the organization.

“Carline Sablan’s extensive experience in working with both the public and private sectors will definitely assist NMSA in the performance of our duties to the community, particularly our responsibility to take care of the heart of the sporting activities in the CNMI—the Oleai Sports Complex,” Tan said.

“I know Carline and her efficiency in accomplishing required tasks on time,” NMSA vice president Ramon Tebuteb added.

NMSA board members Nick Gross and James Lee are aware of Sablan’s several projects in the past years and commended her for getting the job done.

“She has a great resume and displays commendable skill sets that will certainly assist NMSA in fulfilling our vision/mission,” Gross said.

“I have witnessed her in action on several projects and she has done a remarkable job,” Lee added. (PR)