Deferred expenditure to 2021

CNMI and Guam runners may race again at the Oleai Sports Complex track oval if the Commonwealth goes ahead with the hosting of the 2021 Pacific Mini Games. (Contributed Photo)

The Pacific Games Council has submitted a proposal to the Office of the Governor that would delay the disbursement of funds for the CNMI’s hosting of the Pacific Mini Games until 2021.

“We have outlined the proposed expenditure and the vast majority is deferred until FY 2021,” said PGC executive director Andrew Minogue.

The Fiji-based council had to work on a payment plan for the quadrennial event that may be held in the Commonwealth for the first time upon the request of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres. Last month, the governor announced that the CNMI can “reasonably” host the Mini Games for the proposed $3-million budget if funding would take into consideration the financial challenges the islands have been going through after getting hit by Super Typhoon Yutu in October last year.

The council declined to provide detailed information about its proposal, but Minogue said more than half of the suggested budget will be disbursed in 2021—the same year that the Mini Games is scheduled.

“A little (expenditure) in calendar year 2019. More in 2020, and then over 60 percent of the budget in calendar year 2021,” the council official said.

Press secretary Kevin Bautista acknowledged receiving the council’s proposal, which they will carefully review.

“We have received the proposal and are currently evaluating the feasibility of hosting the Games under these conditions. The governor and lieutenant governor have already had several meetings with the PGC, various stakeholders, and athletes, and their goal is to ensure that we have a financially prudent decision,” Bautista said.

The suggested budget is $5 million lower than the initial proposal and is only good for six sports—instead of the required 12. The council offered a scaled down Mini Games when Torres announced last April that the government will not be able to provide funding for the competition before having a change of heart last month.

Meanwhile, Northern Marianas Sports Association executive director Tony Rogolifoi clarified that the lottery/scratchies earnings go to CNMI athletes participating in off-island competitions, like this summer’s Pacific Games in Samoa. NMSA then relies on government funding for the operation and maintenance of the Oleai Sports Complex.