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Competition dates, more events in Micro Games
Marshall Islands swimmers compete in a meet last year at the Kwajalein Swimming Pool, which is among the facilities ready to host events for the 2022 Micronesian Games. (Marshall Islands Swim Federation)
Two events have been added to the program of the 2022 Micronesian Games and another one is being considered as the quadrennial competition will take place in the Marshall Islands from July 25 to Aug. 5.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, updates on the 10th edition of the Micro Games have been limited. However, last week during the Micronesian Games Council’s general assembly, the Marshall Islands shared developments about the event, including the final schedule and proposed sports to be played in the competition.
Weightlifting and wrestling have been added to the initial list submitted when the Marshall Islands won the bidding for the 2022 event during the 9th Micronesian Games in Yap in 2018. The two sports will join athletics, basketball (5 vs 5 and 3×3), volleyball (indoor and beach), fast-pitch softball (women’s), tennis, spearfishing, swimming, table tennis, va’a (canoe), and Micronesian All-Around on the roll. Teqball, a football-based sport that is played on a curved table with rules similar to table tennis, is also being considered on the program. The Micronesian Games Council and representatives of the 10 island-nations will be meeting again next year to finalize the sports calendar.
Besides the sports events and schedule, the Marshall Islands have also provided updates on the Micro Games venues.
The opening and closing ceremonies, athletics, beach volleyball, and fast-pitch softball will be held at the Jenrok Sports Complex, which is being built in two phases. Phase 1 of the $9.13-million facility was completed in March this year and Phase 2 completion is scheduled for Nov. 2021.
Other venues (construction and rehabilitation are also set to be completed next year) are the Educational Cultural Center (basketball and volleyball medal round) and Marshall Islands High School Gymnasium (volleyball preliminaries). Repairs and improvements on the venues for the tennis, table tennis, swimming, wrestling, and weightlifting have been completed, while the Marshall Islands High School will be the Athletes Village.
