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NMSA sets May 1 deadline for Pacific Games
Runners compete in the 5,00m race during the Oceania Micronesian Regional Championships 2018 at the Oleai Sports Complex. Runners will head to Apia, Samoa this summer for the 2019 Pacific Games.
(Contributed Photo)
Local sports federations sending athletes to the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa must submit the entries by names for accreditation on or before May 1.
The entries by names deadline are only for athletes, Northern Marianas Sports Association president Michael White clarified, adding that team officials and coaches can be accredited later. Pacific Games Council, which sanctions the quadrennial event, under its charter, has set the deadline for entries by name 45 days before the Games or on May 23. However, White wanted to set an earlier deadline to have more time collecting and processing the accreditation papers of athletes.
Players who will compete in the July 7 to 20 event must turn in a passport-style photo and a copy of their passport. Submissions can be made personally or electronically (downloadable files). For athletes who have competed in the Pacific Games, Mini Games, and Micronesian Games, they are not required to submit a photo, unless they want to use a new one in Samoa. White also reminded athletes that their passports should be valid until December 2019.
Only U.S. passport holders will be allowed to compete for the CNMI and they must have resided in the Commonwealth for a total of five years. Those who left the CNMI temporarily to study or join the military are still eligible for the five-year residency.
Twenty-six sports will be played in this year’s Pacific Games with the CNMI confirmed to send athletes/teams in weightlifting, canoe, athletics, and golf competitions. Local tennis, baseball, swimming, badminton, basketball (3×3), and triathlon associations have also expressed their interest for the summer tournament.
Palau, Samoa vie for 2025 Mini Games hosting
Meanwhile, two countries have turned in their bids for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games.
Samoa and Palau met the Jan. 14 deadline for the submission of bids and their documents will be subjected for evaluation by the executive board of the Pacific Games Council. An evaluation report will be then sent to the 23-member island nations mid May, while the winning bid will be announced on July 14 during the group’s general assembly in Apia.
