Mini Games prep moving forward

The CNMI’s Tyler Santos races in the 5,000m event in the Oceania Micronesian Regional Championships 2018 at the Oleai Sports Complex. The facility will be busy in 2021 when Saipan hosts the Pacific Mini Games. (Contributed Photo)

The CNMI’s preparation for the hosting of the 2021 Pacific Mini Games remains on track, as Northern Mariana Sports Association made a budget presentation for the quadrennial event to the Office of the Governor last Wednesday.

“Governor (Ralph Deleon Guerrero) Torres and NMASA president Michael White met on Wednesday to discuss the status of the CNMI’s preparation for the 2021 Pacific Mini Games. NMASA presented the Games details and expectations for the event,” press secretary Kevin Bautista said.

“There is no commitment yet, as the administration and NMASA continue to evaluate facilities that were damaged or destroyed during the storm. The governor reaffirmed his commitment to work with NMASA, the Legislature, and the Pacific Games Council on plans moving forward. We are hopeful that we rebuild the facilities during this recovery period in time for the Games,” Bautista added.

NMSA politely declined to divulge information about the budget presentation, as it would like to give Torres time to review the proposal before making the figures public.

“At the appropriate time, the governor, with the support of the Games Audit and Governance Committee, the Games Organizing Committee, and NMSA, will present a budget request to the Legislature for its consideration,” NMSA president Michael White said.

When the CNMI, through NMSA, submitted a bid for the Mini Games in 2014, it estimated the costs of the hosting of the event at $1,160,000. Of the more $1-million budget for the Games, $650,000 will come from participation fees from the 22 nations, $250,000 from the government, and the remaining $260,000 from the private sector through sponsorships.

In the 2017 Pacific Mini Games held in Vanuatu, the host country allotted about $1.4 million for the regional competition and was able to raise $1.2 through sponsorships, while having a $700,000 surplus. Clint Flood was the CEO of the Vanuatu Mini Games and NMSA also got his services to handle the event on Saipan.

Wanted: Chef de mission in Samoa
Meanwhile, NMSA is looking for a chef de mission to the 2019 Pacific Games that will be held in Apia, Samoa from July 7 to 20.

NMASA will shoulder the airfare and food and lodging expenses of the CNMI chef de mission, who in return has to supervise the accommodation, meals, transportation, and other needs of the Commonwealth delegation. The official will be provided with a vehicle and phone so he/she can attend the daily meeting during the Games.

Interested individuals must submit a letter of interest and qualification for the position on or before Feb. 15 and send them to mwhite@saipan.com.