Previous Story
Nauru pulls out from Micronesian Games
|
Posted on Jul 12 2018
A few days before the 2018 Micronesian Games kicks off in Yap, Nauru has informed the organizing committee of the nation’s withdrawal from the quadrennial event.
“I wish to inform everyone that Team Nauru, unfortunately, will not be participating at the 2018 Micro Games,” Nauru Olympic Committee president Marcus Stephen said in a letter sent to organizers and the Micronesian Games Council yesterday or four days before the event starts.
“It is a big disappointment for us, as we had ordered all our uniforms and paid for them but due to the travel costs and arrangement, it is simply not feasible for us. The only option left for Team Nauru is to Charter a flight to Yap with Team Kiribati and share the costs,” Stephen added.
The charter flight along with accommodations and per diem would cost Nauru a whopping $300,000, with each delegate forking out $7,500.
“Our government. even though very supportive, saw that it was not feasible to spend this amount of money that can be better spent elsewhere,” the Nauru Olympic Committee head said.
“Every Micro Games is a challenge for us, especially with the travel up north and the Commonwealth Games is in the same year, which does not help us and it is a very important Games for us, as well to attend. Probably, for future Games, if hosted up north, we hope that some consideration and concession can be given to Nauru and Kiribati to assist us,” Stephen said.
From the initial list compiled by organizers, Nauru has committed to send 55 athletics and officials in Yap and they will compete in athletics, weightlifting, wrestling, and spearfishing.
Meanwhile, government employees, who are representing the CNMI to the Micro Games that will run from July 15 to 27, have been granted administrative leaves.
