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JOETEN Daidai Foundation, Triple J Saipan, and IT&E/IP&E, said they are honored to be among the sponsors of the local athletes who will represent the NMI at the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.
Each donated $10,000 to pay for the charter flight that will bring the NMI delegation to the Solomons.
According to Joeten Daidai Foundation Executive Director Patty Palacios, they are “proud to help sponsor” the local athletes.
She added, “The reason why we always decide to donate is to give back to our people. We are One Marianas so these athletes will be representing us in the Solomon Islands and we just want to help achieve their goal to get there.”
Triple J Saipan President Bob Jones said they are “very happy…to be able to participate in a small way, but we know this couldn't happen without [Northern Marianas Sports Association President] Jerry Tan. So we thank you for all your efforts in getting the team down. And I'm sure they're going to make us happy with all their results.”
NMI Chef De Mission Nick Gross shared his appreciation to the sponsors. “I think it’s pretty incredible, given the economic downturn in the CNMI. The ability of these businesses to come up and support Team NMI this way is a godsend. It really is an incredible support that we, on behalf of NMSA and Team NMI, are so grateful for.”
He added, “Hopefully it pays out big in the accomplishments of our teams while we're in the Solomons. Again, going from days and days of travel to get there, to suddenly a four-and-a-half-hour flight…I think should really work to benefit the team and our ability to perform.”
The NMI will be sending more than 100 athletes to compete in 10 different sports in the 2023 Pacific Games.
They are:
Athletics — Tania Tan, Lyle Andrew, Maria Quitugua, Theodore Rodgers, Alexander Camacho, Casey Cruz and Pony Tang with team officials Simon Necesito and Greg Iginoef.
Tennis — Colin Ramsey (player/coach), Moris Villanueva, June Yu, Nason Wessel, and Simon Tang.
Triathlon — Leo Wania.
Weightlifting — Angel San Nicolas, Joey Colisao, Antonette Labausa, Riella Ann Ichiuo, Leowell Cristobal and Ramond Santos with Greg Borja as team manager.
Golf — Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho, Joseph Sasamoto, Ben Jones Jr., Franco Santos, Zhimin Jin, Kaegel Taitano (player/coach) and Marco Peter (team manager).
Bodybuilding — Davy Laxa and Christina Tudela.
Beach volleyball — Andrew Johnson and Logan Mister with alternate players Tyce Mister and Chris Nelson.
Va’a — Oliver Igisaiar, Tyler Andrew, Yu Chai, Michael Peters, Terry Ruben, Willie Cabrera, Mitchell Kukkun, Guillerma Chong, Vinalynn Oronigo, Jenisha Dubrall, Ashley Pangelinan, Dayna Macaranas, Gracie Mendiola, Eva Weaver, Sakurako Halstead, Momoka Halstead with team managers Justin Andrew and Joseph Weaver, assistant coach and athlete Dirk Sikkel, and coach and athlete Jason Tarkong.
Swimming — Jinie Thompson, Andrew Nunez, Frances Raho, Isaiah Aleksenko, Juhn Tenorio, Julia Jinang, Kean Pajarillaga, Kevin Guerrero Jr., Kouki Watanabe, Maria Batallones, Michael Miller, Moshe Sikkel, Nagi Tenorio, Taiyo Akimaru, Shoko Litulumar, team manager Yuko Kimura and coaches Dirk Sikkel and Hiroyuki Kimura.
Per regulation, the NMI soccer team’s final roster cannot be named.
