District Administrator James Ada, along with Acting Rota Mayor George Hocog and the Rota Mayor’s Office’s chief of staff Efrain Atalig, will fly to Guam on July this year to submit their bid proposal.
“As far as the meet for Rota, we are more than glad to bid for the Senior and Big League,” Hocog told Variety yesterday. “We’ll try and hopefully we’ll get it, and we’ll do our best to make everybody happy.”
This will be the third time for Rota to host a regional tournament in the Asia Pacific since 1998 and 2003. Among many participants are the Philippines, Guam, and Japan.
Once in Guam, a vote will be taken on the bid as part of protocols, according to Ada. The ultimate decision is made in a district administrators’ meeting in December.
“Hocog and Atalig will be responsible for the overall planning,” said Ada. “This includes choosing a technical committee.”
Assistant DA Mike Borja noted that the planning will start as soon as possible.
“This is not just for Rota. It will benefit the whole CNMI, because all participants, especially from the Philippines and other foreign countries will have to layover in Saipan before entering Rota,” he said.
“I’m encouraging all business sectors and the Marianas Visitors Authority for this because we’re promoting the island of Rota and the entire Commonwealth. We need support from the government and the private sector.”
Rota’s baseball facility just needs a little improvement to host a tournament of this caliber, said Ada.
Borja added that the event will promote tourism through sports.
“It’s just a matter of putting our heads and resources together,” he said.
