BOB Coldeen is coming out of retirement to accept the role of CNMI chef de mission in the upcoming Pacific Mini Games, the Northern Marianas Sports Association announced Thursday.
Joining Coldeen in a press conference were 2020 Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee CEO Ben Babauta, Chairman Marco Peter, Sports Director Ray Tebuteb and Northern Marianas Sports Association President Jerry Tan.
As chef de mission, Coldeen will be in charge of the CNMI national team — its athletes, coaches and managers. He will also assist the Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee in coordinating with the chefs de mission of the other national teams.
“I did not expect this — I was expecting to be a spectator, especially for baseball. Now I’ll be there for all the sports,” Coldeen said.
He added that he thought long and hard before accepting the job offer.
As CNMI chef de mission, the former KSPN anchor and sportscaster said, “We don’t have to win, to win. We try hard, we do our best, we win. Sometimes the level of competition is out of our control, but we have the ability to try our hardest and to prepare and peak at the right time.”
Coldeen aims to work with all the CNMI athletes prior to the big event set for June 17-25.
He wants to make sure that each sports organization has schedules and are aware of the rules.
He is ready to help them in any way necessary.
With over 20 years of experience as a sports reporter and going further back as an athlete, Coldeen is ideal for the role of chef de mission.
“Bob speaks the language of sports,” Sports Director Ray Tebuteb said.
For his part, Organizing Committee Chairman Marco Peter expressed his appreciation to Coldeen for accepting the position.
“This is a very difficult task but we know that you could get the job done. We need more of your ‘Buenas sports fans.’ ” Peter said, referring to Coldeen’s catchphrase as a sportscaster.
“Being part of a previous organizing committee, I can tell you one of the best things Saipan does is host events,” Coldeen said. “This is going to be a very positive thing. I’m very happy to come out of retirement and I pledge that this will be a very fun event for our visitors and team NMI.”
Bob Coldeen, center, is NMI chef de mission in 2022 Pacific Mini Games.
From left, Northern Marianas Sports Association President Jerry Tan, Chef de Mission Bob Coldeen, 2022 Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games Chairman Marco Peter, CEO Ben Babauta and Sports Director Ray Tebuteb pose for a photo during a press conference in the NMSA conference room.
