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Decision time for CNMI’s Mini Games hosting
The Pacific Games Council’s general assembly will be held this Sunday in Apia, Samoa with the CNMI’s hosting of the 2021 Pacific Mini Games on the table for approval.
Rep. Marco Peter (R-Saipan) will be representing CNMI Gov. Ralph DLG Torres in the weekend forum and the former has been in discussion with Pacific Games Council executive director Andrew Minogue on issues about the Commonwealth’s hosting of the quadrennial meet.
Minogue, in a message to Saipan Tribune, said the Council is still working with the governor and his representative to iron out details about the 2021 Mini Games.
Early this month, Torres informed the PGC that the CNMI government is reaffirming its commitment to host the 2021 Pacific Games. The Commonwealth has also agreed to the proposed budget for the event—bringing it down to $3 million from $8 million—and the expenditure schedule that the PGC suggested.
All these concerns and the six sports in the scaled down Mini Games will have to be addressed at the general assembly and get the rubber-stamp of the 22 member-nations.
Once the hosting gets the blessings of the stakeholders, a revised contract must be signed by the PGC, the CNMI government, and Northern Marianas Sports Association, which represents the Commonwealth to the Council.
Meanwhile, the host of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games will also be decided in this Sunday’s assembly. The competition is between Palau and American Samoa. Also on the agenda of this Sunday’s event are the associate membership application of Australia and New Zealand, review of Week 1 of the XVI Pacific Games, and updates on the Solomon Islands’ preparations for the hosting of the 2023 Pacific Games.
