Sports tourism to diversify NMI market

JON PEREZ
The Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, left, and the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field are among the sports facilities that need renovation and improvement as they will host several events in the 2021 Pacific Mini Games. (Jon Perez)

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ administration is throwing its full support to the promotion of sports tourism as an added attraction in the CNMI’s growing visitors market.

The CNMI government, through the Marianas Visitors Authority and its managing director Chris Concepcion, would further push for the CNMI as a haven for sports tourists by hosting a number of world-class sporting events that will feature the islands’ idyllic beauty as attractions. Torres said he met with officials of the Northern Marians Sports Association earlier this year and they had discussions on how to put forward sports tourism in the Commonwealth.

“We not only wanted MVA to put forward sports tourism in our islands, but the whole sports industry in the CNMI. Sports tourism is another market that we should look into,” said Torres in an interview after signing the 2018 fiscal year budget.

Sports tourism is a $7.68-billion industry that attracts professional and amateur athletes and the CNMI is hoping to get a share of that growing market by having sports events on the islands. The Commonwealth currently hosts XTERRA Saipan, Tagaman Triathlon, Hell of the Marianas, Saipan International Marathon, Ironman 70.3, and Rota Blue Triathlon, and recently added KONQER Saipan: King of the Hill. These events drew people from Guam, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, the Philippines, Mexico, Austria, Russia, China, New Zealand, Great Britain, France, Switzerland, and Slovakia. In these tournaments, athletes usually bring either their families or friends with them when competing.

Besides the regular competitions it hosts or sponsors, MVA could also look into athletes joining the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Athletes, especially those from countries with winter or cold weather, could use Saipan as a training venue to acclimatize themselves in time for the 32nd edition of the Summer Games.

With this possibility and other opportunities to host off-island teams, Torres, in a similar interview, wanted to prioritize improving Saipan’s sports facilities not only to serve visiting athletes, but also those who will join the 2021 Pacific Mini Games.

“We do have the infrastructure, but I would like to see better facilities here. I’m going to look at other priorities as we prepare to host the (Mini) Games in 2021,” said Torres in the same interview with reporters last Tuesday.

The Governor’s Office has already received the money provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the repair and renovation of the facilities at the Oleai Sports Complex damaged by Typhoon Soudelor. The FEMA Public Assistance Office is handling the renovation project with the assistance from Governor’s Office special assistant on project development Vicky Benavente.

“The FEMA money is already with the Governor’s Office. [Benavente] is the right person to talk to regarding the project. We’re going to look at all the FEMA dollars and the projects that have been approved so we can show to you where we are at each project,” said Torres.

He also added that the CNMI could even partner with Korea’s sports associations, which could provide assistance either through monetary donation or sports equipment.