Games preparations in the homestretch

The 2015 Pacific Games Organizing Committee are in the final stages of their preparations for the 15th edition of the quadrennial sporting event with GOC chief executive officer Peter Stewart assuring all competing nations that they’ve been doing everything as planned.

“With only five months until the 2015 Pacific Games opening ceremony, the GOC’s focus is on completing the planning process that was implemented two and a half years ago,” said Stewart in a commentary sent to all Pacific Games member federations.

Stewart said that the GOC, just like the athletes who are in the final phase of their training, is also in the last stages of their preparation in hosting the quadrennial sporting event.

“We are very confident that the Games will be delivered as planned because of the number of critical and very important things we have achieved and committed for,” said Stewart

He added PNG is prepared to welcome the region’s elite athletes and fans are eager to see them compete at their best.

Stewart also expects that veteran athletes will renew their rivalries while newcomers will just start theirs.

“The battle to see which nation will be able to improve their medal tally in this year’s edition will be the highlight of the Pacific Games with athletes keen to either avenge or defend their performances.”

He also expects that new heroes will rise before the Games end. “But by the closing ceremony we will be singing praises to a new crop of champions who would have thrilled us with their exploits.”

“Some will produce world class performances that will put their nation on the sporting map while others will astound us with their ability to overcome what appeared to be insurmountable odds for the honor of representing their country.”

The GOC is also nearing to hit its target of securing the 60 million kina (US$23.06 million) for the Pacific Games with 30 million kina (US$11.05 million) coming from sponsorship alone.

“Our target has been to raise 60 million kina and we are just about to reach that because currently the funds we have secured sits at 55 million kin (US$21.1 million), which is a combination of sponsorship and government support.”

“We are on track and very confident that we will reach our target to deliver these games successfully.”

In other new, Northern Marianas Sports Association president Michael White has advised all member sports federations of the CNMI that are planning to send athletes to the Pacific Games to give him the information of their respective delegates.
“Registration for the Games is now open because we are going to send a fairly large delegation, I would like to get started as soon as possible, rather than wait until the last minute,” said White in an email.

He added that federations can register as many people but if a person is not registered by the deadline the athlete cannot compete.

“So if you are ready to register any athletes, coaches, or officials, please let me have their names. If they have been registered for the Pacific Games or Micro Games in the past 10 years, I don’t need any further information—although some people may want to update their photos.”

“If they have not been registered for another event within the past 10 years, I need a photocopy of their passport, and a passport-size photo.”

White added that only U.S. citizen athletes are eligible to compete in the Pacific Games but the rule does not apply to coaches or officials.