Micro Games fate known today

The fate of the CNMI’s hosting the 6th Micronesian Games will be determined today as Gov. Benigno R. Fitial is expected to receive the financial plan he requested from the Micronesian Games Organizing Committee.

Finance committee chair Rex Palacios said yesterday he is ready to submit the plan to the governor and should have finalized the report by last night.

“We’re looking good and the numbers are looking good,” he said. “I finished the draft of the report and I submitted it to the committee. They looked at it and only some minor changes were made so I’m going to finalize the report [last night] and submit it [today].”

Palacios did not disclose figures. However, he indicated that the budget for the Games is minimal and should be feasible for the government to work with.

He added that the committee is only requesting in-kind contributions from the government, such as traffic service from the Department of Public Safety, medical services, security, and accommodations for housing and transportation of the athletes and the use of the sports facilities.

He explained that the services sought are already aligned with the government’s daily services to the public, citing that DPS will be needed to patrol the area.

The committee was given until today to submit the financial plan. The governor will review the plan and decide whether the CNMI will or will not host the Games.

The sub-committees and representatives of various sports federations met last Tuesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium conference room to submit operational budgets for the Games.

During the meeting, Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association president Michael White disclosed that the Micronesian Games Council would scrap the Games if the CNMI does not host it.

“If we don’t want the Games, then there will be no Games this year,” White said. “They’re willing to give us until next Monday for a decision.”

Originally scheduled from June 23 to July 7, the committee has now shortened the staging of the Games from June 23 to July 3.

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.

Meanwhile, the committee is also including a “Special Games for the Disabled” during the Micro Games in hopes of promoting sports and providing a venue for the disabled.

The event will be coordinated by the Council on Developmental Disabilities, which will also provide funds necessary for the operations of the event.

Among the sports that have already confirmed their willingness to incorporate the Special Games into their program are athletics and swimming.