The officers of the Northern Marianas Esports Federation pose for a photo during a meeting at Marvz Kitchen on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025.
ESPORTS is popular worldwide, and Saipan has taken its first step toward the global stage with the establishment of the Northern Marianas Esports Federation, which obtained its business license on Tuesday.
The NMEF aims to provide local Esports enthusiasts with opportunities for advancement through events and outreach, both nationally and internationally.
The federations officers are:
• President Danielle “Dan” Acosta
An instructor for Esports gaming at Kagman High School and, so far, the NMEF’s only female member, Acosta grew up playing computer games. She later transitioned into the Call of Duty and Counter Strike 2 competitive scene. In college, she joined an Esports team for a scholarship. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Digital Innovation and Esports.
“I joined mainly for the students,” she said. “I’ve been working as an instructor for two years, and there are a lot of students with amazing potential so I want to give them that same opportunity that I was given in high school.”
• President-Elect Simon Necesito
A player turned content creator known as “Baka Den,” Necesito is no stranger to the gaming world. “I see the potential here and having this federation will give people the opportunity to connect and also branch out and showcase their talents to the rest of the world,” he said.
• Vice President Linson Bill Manahan
A student at Northern Marianas College and a veteran of the Guam National Guard, Manahan began a gaming club for “Magic: The Gathering” for which he organized events and tournaments. The gaming club also posted events for students who wanted to hang out and meet new people. The club grew bigger and began hosting tournaments and advocating for events such as a Mobile Legends tournament, which was held last year. “Since then, I’ve watched so many young and talented people playing the games that they love and displaying mastery and techniques,” Manahan said, adding that he wants to emphasize the need to provide incentives to CNMI gamers.
• Secretary Shun Umezawa
Umezawa is a Saipan representative of the Marianas Esports League. He is also an FPS or first-person shooter competitor who plays Valorant, Call of Duty, and Counter Strike. “I joined…because I do see the potential in the CNMI. Even though ping is a disadvantage, I do see high latency as an advantage as we play faster and better…in the competitive scene,” he said.
• Treasurer Rovien “Bo” Maratita
Maratita wants to hold tournaments such as Mobile Legends to “get the community involved and let them know that there are champions here.” He said in order for Saipan players to compete at an international level like their Guam counterparts, they had to create their own organization. Thus, the NMEF was created.
• Board Member Jersh Angeles
Angeles is well-known on the soccer field but has also acquired a taste for gaming and has sponsored the Get Rekt team, which won the 2024 Marianas Esports League championship. “I love playing since I was a kid. I played Atari, GameBoy, Nintendo, Sega Genesis. I’m now playing Call of Duty Mobile,” he said. “My ultimate goal is to see CNMI players compete in international competitions.”
• Federation Representative Lester Garcia
He was exposed to Esports by watching DOTA 2, and then he fell in love with fighting games. It is Garcia’s dream to compete on the world stage and see Saipan on the Esports global map. “My goal here is to reach out to the community and find who is interested in sharing their mindset and their skills,” he said.
• Technical Department head Allen Bartolome
“Ever since I was small, I have been in the competitive scene,” said the KHS Esports coach. He has been offered college scholarships for Esports and is a season veteran who has joined multiple tournaments with money on the line. “I want the world to know that everyone has the talent to compete,” Bartolome said.
The NMEF’s plan will be featured in Variety’s next edition.
