THE Northern Marianas Sports Association has successfully completed a three-day workshop on sports organization management conducted by the Oceania National Olympic Committees and the Guam National Olympic Committee over the weekend at the Ada gym.
The workshop aimed to help local sports federations prepare for the 2022 Pacific Mini Games that will be hosted by Saipan next year.
ONOC Chief Administrative Officer and Officer-In-Charge Meli Cavu along with Chief Communications Officer Inoke Bainamarama and Guam NOC and Oceania Sport Education Program Regional Master Joey Miranda III provided a better understanding of the sports structure in the Oceania region.
They also assisted the Pacific Mini Games Organization Committee, NMSA and local sports federations in capacity building, among other related subjects.
The individuals who attended the workshop included CNMI Weightlifting’s John Davis, NMI Swimming Federation’s John Hirsh, NMI Football Association’s Ross Zapanta, NMI Volleyball Association’s Somia Quan, NMI Basketball Federation’s Roselyn Monroyo, Northern Marianas Badminton Association’s Janelle Pangilinan and Christy Villaflor, Saipan Baseball League’s Jay Santos and Ben Jones, NMI Tennis Association’s Lydia Tan, Northern Marianas National Paddle Sports Federation’s Jason Tarkong and Heather Calderwood, Triathlon Association of the CNMI’s Manny Sitchon, and a contingent from NMSA led by its president Jerry Tan, secretary general Valerie Hofschneider and executive director Carline Sablan.
During a press conference on Friday, Pacific Mini Games 2022 Chief Executive Officer Ben Babuata said, “I think it’s quite important for NMSA and our national federations to get a sports structure in place and at the same time prepare themselves in terms of [next year’s] games. It’s a really good learning and development experience for each of the federations as well as for the athletes.”
Miranda said the workshop went well. “There was a lot of engagement and…enthusiasm coming through especially from the newly elected officers who were more than willing to learn the process in developing their organizations. So that is a very good step in working toward the future of NMSA.”
Among the topics discussed were the benefits of starting young and putting a structure in place that will help not only the children, but the organizations as well.
Cavu, for his part, shared the challenges they faced in the previous games in terms of preparation. “We’re hoping we can replicate…our experience with the Tokyo Games in terms of the playbook that was used,” he said.
The pandemic remains a huge obstacle in running a successful event so it is important to plan for all scenarios, he added.
This is the first time that Miranda, Cavu and Bainamarama have worked together but each have conducted similar workshops throughout the region.
Miranda emphasized the importance of these workshops. “It helps us work with the organizations and committees [so they can] move from where they are…and explore… other possibilities that can advance their organizations.”
Cavu and Bainamarama applauded the commitment of the local federations which they believe is the CNMI’s biggest strength as it prepares for the Pacific Mini Games.
“They want to see positive changes, not just for the games but for sports in general,” Cavu said.
Bainamarama, for his part, noted “the drive and commitment of the associations and their leaders — the fact that we are here demonstrates that.”
Also discussed during the three-day workshop were such topics as governance, facility and event management, planning and development, marketing and public relations as well as financial management
Northern Marianas Badminton Association’s Janelle Pangilinan said she learned a lot from the workshop and will utilize those lessons to further improve NMBA.
“The workshop was great! It helps me understand how we can do better as an organization,” she said. “For me the most important thing I learned is that every sport organization must have rules and strategic plans. Setting rules such as a constitution allows the organization to be more organized. Strategic planning is also a way for every organization to determine their purpose, vision, mission and goals for the growth and future of the organization.”
She added, “This workshop is very helpful for badminton in preparation for the mini games. I also learned that the most important stakeholder in every sports organization is our athletes.”
Guam National Olympic Committee and Oceania Sports Education Program Regional Master Joey Miranda III, Pacific Mini Games 2022 Chief Executive Officer Ben Babauta, Oceania National Olympic Committees Chief Administrative Officer and Officer-In-Charge Meli Cavu and Chief Communications Officer Inoke Bainamarama discuss preparations for next year’s Pacific Mini Games during Friday’s press conference at the Ada gym.
