‘Pacific Island athletes to benefit competing against Australia, NZ’

Northern Marianas Sports Association president Mike White sees no problem with the Pacific Games Council’s decision to allow Australia and New Zealand to compete in the Pacific Games, adding that it would be beneficial to Pacific Island athletes.

New Zealand athletes line up as they await the flag raising ceremony in this year’s XV Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea. New Zealand and Australia competed for the first time in the Pacific Games, hosted for the third time by Port Moresby (foxsportspulse.com)

The two Oceania powerhouses made their debut in this year’s Pacific Games, the 15th edition of the quadrennial sporting event in Papua New Guinea. Both countries were invited to compete in only four sports—rugby 7s, sailing, taekwondo, and weightlifting—in Port Moresby.

White, in an interview by Saipan Tribune, said the plan was previously discussed by the PGC in the past and it was only last year that the governing body of the Pacific Games unanimously agreed to let both countries compete.

“It was the decision of the council that their participation would be limited to sports that the Pacific Island athletes can be competitive,” added White, who has represented the CNMI in PGC meetings and even served as the head of delegation in several Games.

“Of course we can’t beat their athletes in swimming, basketball, or track and field. Even in other events and sports where they compete in the world championships level,” added the longtime NMSA chief.

White said the Pacific Games would benefit in the long run on the PGC’s move of finally opening their doors to Australia and New Zealand.

“In the long run it is a better idea since it would give us better competition. In a good sense, their participation would create pathways for Pacific Island nations to compete in larger events like the World Championships,” he added.

“Australia and New Zealand might be stronger in many sports but that’s what is good about it. It raises the level of competition. Hopefully, just like the other countries, the list of sports where they will be competing in would someday increase.”

White said that he sees no disadvantage on the PGC’s move since both countries are not members of the council. “It would also produce good results. I don’t see any disadvantage since they are not part of the entire PGC structure but they might become in the near future. It all depends on the council.”

White said the setup is similar to the Pan American Games’ structure. “It is similar to what happens here in Oceania. The U.S. is not sending their NBA players for basketball in the PanAm Games.”

The PGC, in an earlier report by Radio New Zealand, last year approved Australia and New Zealand’s participation to the Port Moresby Games based on a revised proposal by council members “in a first step towards an expanded Continental Games.”

Australia and New Zealand’s inclusion to the Games, the PGC added, would raise the level of competition in the Pacific Games.

The council is in the process of assessing Australia and New Zealand’s participation and would be making a report to give out to Pacific Games member nations.

Australia finished sixth overall in the July 4 to 18 Pacific Games winning a total of 47 medals—17 gold, 19 silver, and 11 bronze. New Zealand was 17th with a 1-9-10 gold-silver-bronze medal haul.