Govt to foot only 12 percent of Micronesian Games’ expense

The Micronesian Games Organizing Committee is asking the government to shoulder, through in-kind contributions, only 12 percent of the total cost to host the Games this summer.

This was according to the MGOC finance committee expenditure budget report, which was submitted to Gov. Benigno R. Fitial last Friday morning.

With the budget considered feasible to be work with, Fitial reconsidered the hosting of the Games and sent a letter to Micronesian Games Council president William Keldermans, confirming the CNMI’s willingness to host the event.

Finance committee chair Rex Palacios said he was confident the governor was going to approve of the budget, citing that the government will only shoulder $80,000 in in-kind contribution, or only 12 percent of the total cost the of the Games.

In his report, Palacios explained that the total Games expenditures are projected at $651,000. The bulk of the expense will be covered by per-diem revenues from visiting countries, which is expected to be about $432,000, or 67 percent of the total Games expenditure.

“With the government providing in-kind contributions for public safety, health, and transportation services, the Organizing Committee projects to fund the remaining $139,000 from private contributions—an amount not insurmountable,” the report read.

According to the report, the bulk of the $651,000 will be needed for participants’ meals, while accommodations cost is estimated to be about $97,000. Sports supplies and security are both a bit over $26,000, water will cost about $25,000, and media will cost about $23,500. Cost of media covers accreditations for all athletes and officials, official website, operating supplies such as paper, print cartridges, roadside and game venue banners, and printing costs for game programs.

The remaining costs covers opening and closing ceremonies ($18,000), transportation ($26,400), medical services ($21,500), traffic control ($10,750), cleanup and trash collection ($1,500), uniforms for volunteers and officials ($3,000), sports federations travel and per-diem costs, and administrative supplies ($500).

The report also explained expense on traffic control, medical services, and security are based on hours for police officers and medical staff who are on government payroll.

Detailed account for sports supplies indicates that athletics will cost $3,060, baseball will need $4,030, and basketball $4,000. Other sports requiring less expenditure include beach volleyball ($1,600), canoeing ($1,500), golf ($2,500), tennis ($1,320), Micronesian all-around ($500), slow pitch softball ($1,750), fast pitch softball ($1,750), swimming ($500), table tennis ($500), triathlon ($1,000), underwater fishing ($500), indoor volleyball ($1,600), and wrestling ($150).

Other costs include capital improvement, which totals $16,700. About $3,000 will be needed for the repair of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, $5,000 for repair of the fence at the baseball field, $1,500 for construction materials, and $7,200 for bleachers.