Previous Story
White: No threat to Pacific Mini Games
2017 Pacific Mini Games’ mascots Nasi and Em Pawa are invited to visit students and teachers of Fresh Water Bilingual School in Vanuatu late last month. (Vanuatu 2017 Photo)
CNMI athletes competing in the 2017 Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu should not panic in the face of a looming major eruption of a volcano on Ambae Island.
“Many of you have read about the eruption of a volcano on Ambae Island in Vanuatu. Certainly, our thoughts are with the people of that island, and of Vanuatu as a whole, and we hope that any damage, physical or otherwise, will be minimal,” Northern Marianas Sports Association president Michael White said in an email circulated to NMSA members.
“However, I wanted to assure our sporting community, particularly those of us who are going to attend the 2017 Pacific Mini Games in December that the eruption apparently does not pose a threat to Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu and the site of the Games,” White added.
The NMSA head said Ambae is around 263 kilometer (about 165 miles) north of Port Vila. Pagan is about 332 kilometer north of Saipan and when it erupted, Saipan experienced ash from the eruption, but the effects were temporary.
“NMSA will continue to keep a close watch on the situation. I am sure that the Organizing Committee and the Pacific Games Council will not allow the Games to proceed if there is any perceived danger to participants, and NMSA will never knowingly put our athletes, coaches, and officials at any risk,” White said.
The CNMI will be competing in rugby 7’s, athletics, weightlifting, basketball, and golf events in the Pacific Mini Games that will run from Dec. 4 to 15.
Meanwhile, according to Vanuatu newspaper reports, some 11,000 residents are being evacuated to neighboring islands after the Manaro Voui volcano emitted lava bombs. Water sources on the island have also been contaminated due to the lava flows and a major eruption is looming so the national government aims to evacuate all residents by Oct. 6. An Australian naval ship has been sent to the island to help in the evacuation efforts.
