‘No Games if NMI does not host’

If the CNMI officially begs off from hosting the 2006 Micronesian Games, the quadrennial event will be scrapped altogether.

Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association president Michael White announced this during a meeting with members of the 2006 Micro Games Organizing Committee Tuesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium conference room.

The meeting served as a venue for all sports federations and various committees to submit their budget to finance committee chair Rex Palacios, who is tasked with creating a financial plan that will be submitted to Gov. Benigno R. Fitial tomorrow.

White said he recently met with Micronesian Games Council president Bill Keldermans, who informed him of the council’s decision.

“If we don’t want the Games, then there will be no Games this year,” White said, citing that the council thought Palau and Guam would be willing to host the Games which events will be downsized. “They’re willing to give us until next Monday for a decision.”

White added that if the CNMI government decides to host the Games, all events must be played within a nine-day span.

“[Keldermans] wants the Games kept in nine days, and that will keep the expenses down,” he said. “So we’ll have a weekend, then the five weekdays, and another weekend.”

Members of the committee agreed to keep the June 23 opening date of the Games. Instead of concluding on July 7, the committee has decided to put on the closing ceremony on July 3, giving visiting athletes, officials, and guests the opportunity to celebrate Liberation Day with the community. No sports events will be scheduled on July 2, which will be left open in case regular scheduled events are pushed back due to rain, or any other reason.

Meanwhile, members of the committee were busy focusing on the financial plan, which will determine if the government will support the CNMI in hosting the Games.

The committee tackled issues on budget for various sports, as well as accommodations, security, transportation, volunteers, opening and closing ceremonies, maintenance, sports supplies, and uniforms, among many others.

Palacios added that repair of the Ada Gym would cost about $185,000. However, the figure is expected to take a big decrease as official Elias Rangamar informed the committee that the United Filipino Organization is willing to donate manpower for the rehabilitation of the leaking roof, and several private businesses may be willing to donate materials for the job.

Also, $1,500 will be needed for construction on the athletics area, while another $7,200 will be needed for construction of bleachers at the Oleai Sports Complex track and field facility.

All figures, however, are expected to decrease through in-kind donations and sponsorships, according to the committee.

White also disclosed that the CNMI might receive financial assistance from the Oceania National Olympic Committee, which will further reduce money needed for the hosting.

“I have the numbers and I will review and finalize them in the next couple of days and get it to the governor by Friday morning,” Palacios said.

During his weekly spot Island Issues with Harry Blalock on AM 1080 Wednesday morning, Fitial explained that he will commit to the hosting if the financial plan submitted is feasible with what the government can shoulder.

Fitial was among the people who organized the 1969 Micronesian Olympics and said for the CNMI to host the Games will be “special” for him as well.

Sports proposed to be held include athletics, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, fast pitch and slow pitch softball, underwater spear fishing, swimming, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, indoor volleyball, wrestling, weightlifting, and Micronesian all around.

Of the sports, the committee has yet to receive budget or schedule of events from canoeing, golf, table tennis, and basketball.

Athletics, baseball, fast pitch and slow pitch softball, and swimming have already submitted both budget and schedule of events, while tennis and Micronesian all around have submitted budgets. Triathlon has already submitted a schedule of events. Volleyball was expected to submit its budget and schedule yesterday.