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OAA returns to sub-regional format
Athletes compete in the 100m hurdles during the 2014 Micronesian Games in Pohnpei. Micronesian track and field stars will have their own regional championships anew, starting in 2017. (The Kaselehlie Press)
OAA president Geoff Gardner said all member federations chose to split the area championships into Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia championships during their annual congress in Fiji last year.
“A few years ago we decided to combine all three sub-regional championships into just one every two years. We talked to all our member federations and asked them if they wanted to go back to the old format?” said Gardner. “If they wanted the new concept or would they rather return to the regional structure every second year. They decided to return to the old format.”
The 2015 Oceania Area Championships in Athletics will be the last combined events and it will run from May 8 to 10 in Cairns, Australia, while OAA is now accepting bids on hosting rights for the 2017 Micronesian Championships. Northern Marianas Athletics is hoping to bring the tournament on Saipan but it still needs to get the Oleai track facility fixed before submitting a formal bid.
“Micronesia is very passionate about the regional competition. They are also very keen to see the return of the regionals. That’s why OAA decided to return to the old format,” said Gardner.
Gardner added further developing athletics in the region is the main reason why OAA decided to return to the old sub-regional format.
“If [returning to the old format] would mean further development and growth of athletics in the Oceania region, we would gladly welcome it. It is all about development and providing the best opportunity to every athlete that we have,” the OAA president added.
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands collected five gold, six silver and 13 bronze medals when Saipan last hosted the Micronesian Championships in 2005.
Tyrone Omar (men’s 200-meter run), Dexter Dillay (men’s 110m hurdles), Nick Gross (men’s javelin throw), Noriko Jim (women’s 5,000m run) and Doris Rangamar (women’s javelin throw) won the golds for the host after ruling their respective events.
The CNMI finished last in 2007 in Yona, Guam with a 3-2-7 medal haul, but bounced back in 2009 in Gold Coast, Australia to top the medal race after collecting 13 golds, 6 silvers and 7 bronzes. (Jon Perez)
