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Micro Games deadline by names May 7
Organizers of the 2014 Micronesian Games in Pohnpei have set the deadline for submission of entries by names on May 19.
With this development, Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association has set an earlier deadline with interested teams required to submit entries by names on May 7 to give NMASA enough time to prepare the documents needed for CNMI delegates. NMASA said delegates must pass a picture (passport size) and a copy of the information page of their passports.
At press time, only swimming, baseball, weightlifting, and spearfishing have made ticket reservations for the trip to Pohnpei, which will host the Micronesian Games from July 20 to 29. Lawn tennis and indoor volleyball begged off, while basketball and athletics (both men’s and women’s) have yet to decide whether to go or not to the quadrennial tournament.
Funding problems and availability of seats are the reasons for withdrawal and second thoughts of some federations. United Airlines is charging $678 per person plus taxes ($7.50 and $86.50, which are subject to change) for the Pohnpei trip and last March 14 was the deadline for making reservations. Tickets (online purchase) are still available after the deadline, but cost between $900 and $1,600.
Majority of the cost of the Micro Games participation maybe shouldered by the federations and their representatives, as NMASA has yet to secure financial assistance from the government. NMASA president Michael White, during the association’s monthly meeting last week, said he is scheduled to meet with the governor to discuss the possibility of getting monetary aid for the CNMI Team’s campaign in the Micronesian Games.
The CNMI finished second to Palau in the 2010 edition of the regional competition after collecting 44 gold medals, 23 silver, and 25 bronze. Athletics, tennis, and swimming contributed the bulk of the medals for the Commonwealth.
