Tebuteb in an interview yesterday said members of the local organizing committee were very flattered to hear the comments from the OAA officials.
OAA executive director Yvonne Mullins has earlier said that this year’s Oceania Championship was the best one ever.
This was followed by more “very positive” comments from OAA president Geoff Gardner and Area Representative Bill Bailey.
Tebuteb said it was also awesome to learn that some of the OAA officials and off-island volunteers came to Saipan at their own costs. He also appreciate the fact the International Association of Athletic Federation through OAA have infused about half a million dollars for the Oceania Championship with CNMI hosted for the first time.
Aside from the gold medal which Jacque Wonenberg won in the championship, Bailey presented the local organizing committee with a commemorative medal in behalf of IAAF, during a gathering at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Tebuteb said local organizing committee is very appreciative of the OAA for supporting the NMI’s athletics.
“And those comments that we got from OAA are gold medals,” Tebuteb said.
Gardner gave Tebuteb and the rest of the local organizing committee, certificates of appreciation during a gathering at Minatchom Atdao following the championship games on June 28.
The OAA officials were quoted as saying that the championships on Saipan “were an overwhelming success at so many levels.”
Meanwhile, some of the OAA officials and team managers of member federations have booked themselves for a flight back to CNMI for vacation.
Tebuteb said the OAA visitors, especially those who have seen CNMI for the first must have seen the beauty of the island.
