Entry by numbers in Pacific Games due Friday

Northern Marianas Sports Association president Michael A. White is reminding all member federations sending athletes to the 2014 Pacific Games to submit their final entry by numbers on or before Jan. 16.

The CNMI’s Beo Ngirchongor, left, sprints after getting the baton from Orrin Pharmin during the men’s 4x100m relay race in last year’s Micronesian Games. This year, the CNMI will be competing in the Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea and the Commonwealth’s runners are expected to join the quadrennial event. (Contributed Photo)

White said that Friday will be the deadline and failing to meet it only means the federation is not going to compete in the 15th Pacific Games set from July 4 to 18 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Athletics, beach volleyball, bodybuilding, golf, swimming, and triathlon have earlier signified their intention to join the quadrennial sporting event, while canoe (va’a) has yet to inform White but had conducted a tryout for a seven-member men’s team.

Tennis has pulled out as Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Federation official Jeff Race said they couldn’t find a coach for the team composed of four male and two female players. He added that the Commonwealth’s junior netters will be joining other tournaments this year.

Athletics will be sending four male and four female athletes with one coach; beach volleyball will have a two-member male and female teams; bodybuilding is sending two male and two female and a coach; golf is going to have a tryout for a 4-man team with one coach; swimming will have one coach and two male and two female athletes ; and triathlon will send two male and a female in the two-week long competitions.

NMI to send 2 technical officials
The CNMI will also send two technical officials in softball and beach volleyball.

White said nominations are now open for both federations.

A chef de mission meeting is also set in March to update all Pacific Games member countries about the preparations being done by the Games Organizing Committee.

In other news, White is also awaiting word from the International University Sports Federation on its program for the upcoming 2015 Summer University Games, which will happen almost simultaneously with the Pacific Games.

White said he has yet to receive information from FISU regarding the details of the per diem, airfare, and assistance to smaller nations.

The CNMI can send at least two athletes and one coach to the Summer Universiade, while NMSA vice president and former Northern Marianas Athletics president Dr. Kurt Barnes has been named chef de mission to the University Games set in Gwangju, South Korea. (Jon Perez)