Sports
Yap Set to Play Ball
Traditional sports will be a highlight of FSM Games
The most traditional of Micr-onesia’s islands will play host to the upcoming FSM Games in late July and early August this year.
Already intensive planning meetings and community efforts are underway for the biggest sporting event ever to come to Yap, the western-most state in the Federated States of Micronesia. It is the third FSM Games since 1995.
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Black Micro Construction was awarded the prime contract for developing the new $5 million sports complex needed for the games, and is said to be a little ahead of schedule.
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The facilities under construction include a 2,000 seat gymnasium, an eight-lane all weather track and field course that is touted as the biggest in this region, two tennis courts, and a regulation sized baseball field.
FSM Games Coordinating Committee co-chairman Robert A. Ruecho, Speaker of the Yap Legislature, says that they are receiving positive commitments in response to their appeals to sponsors for funding support to augment existing Yap State budgets.
Aside from appealing to local and regional businesses, Ruecho and Lt. Governor Andrew Yalitman have appealed to Microsoft’s Bill Gates for support, noting that the traditional events including spearfishing, coconut tree climbing, coconut husking, spear throwing and outrigger canoe paddling will be a unique feature of the FSM Games — in addition to the many other sporting events planned.
Australian Martin Shaw has been contracted by the Yap Sports Council as staff sport development officer to assist with organizing this major event. As the date begins to near, interest is increasing in the event: the Coordinating Committee is meeting weekly and in the cool early morning and evening hours, sports men and women can be seen jogging and getting into condition.
In addition, Yap’s first track and field competition was held in late November, with additional meets set for this year to prepare athletes to compete against the other states. People familiar with Yap will know the venue of the Games to be the old Coast Guard Loran Station in Tomil Municipality, where the annual Yap Day festivities are held.
Housing for up to 1,000 athletes, coaches and support staff from the other states of Chuuk, Pohnpei and Yap will be at four local schools.
