Back in March, before Covid-19 became a global pandemic, Tan paid a visit to Guam and met with GNOC officials to discuss ways to make the Marianas Cup concept a reality.
“The Pacific Games, the Pacific Mini Games and the Micronesian Games are held every four years,” Tan said. “Some individual sports have international competitions, depending on the budget. I talk to many athletes of different sports and the one thing they really hope to have is more competition.”
Tan added, “They also would like to train, but they want to know what they are training for. If we can somehow work with Guam, we can create a Marianas Cup for a majority, if not all, [of] sports.”
Tan said Guam and Saipan will take turns in hosting the event.
Guam National Olympic Committee representatives Joey Miranda III speaks via Zoom during last week’s Northern Marianas Sports Association general membership meeting in the Taga Hall of Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan. Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
Northern Marianas Sports Association president Jerry Tan, right, shares his thoughts about the Marianas Cup during last week’s NMSA general membership meeting in the Taga Hall of Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan. Also in photo is NMSA executive director Carline Sablan. Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
“We want to create an annual sports competition between Guam and the CNMI. That way we will keep the interest very high because we are in a rivalry…. I feel that this is something NMSA will want to look at.”
Tan said NMSA and GNOC have resumed their talks. “The plan, actually, is to see what the interest among all the sports federations is and start planning for that. That way our athletes could have a competition every year and serve as training for the bigger regional and international competitions.”
Tan is hoping to “get something going, with one or two sports, sometime next year if the conditions allow it.”
GNOC representative Joey Miranda III, who attended the NMSA meeting virtually, said: “I believe most, if not all our organizations here, would be more than willing to work with NMSA in putting together this event and to hone our skills in every sport that we have.”
Tan noted that NMSA is also getting some guidance from Guam regarding the Pacific Mini Games, which Saipan will host in 2022 as he praised Guam’s experience in hosting previous games.
“A working relationship is very important,” Tan said. “We have to find a way to continue our working relationship and partnership between GNOC and NMSA.”
