Tarkong is CNMI flag bearer

Va’a’s Jason Tarkong will be the Team CNMI’s flag bearer as the Commonwealth’s delegation joins the traditional parade of nations tomorrow at the opening ceremony of the XV Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea.

Members of the CNMI Va’a Team pose for a photo before leaving Saipan for Papua New Guinea last Tuesday to compete in the XV Pacific Games. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The opening rites will start at 7pm (same time on Saipan) at the Sir John Guise Outdoor Stadium in Port Moresbly with Tarkong’s va’a teammates Joe Ayuyu, Carter Calma, Jack Kabiriel, Dino Manning, Ben Olopai, and Joe Quan also marching under the CNMI colors. Completing the list of the Commonwealth’s representatives joining tomorrow’s parade are chef de mission and Northern Marianas Sports Association president Michael White, swimming’s Victoria Chentsova, Takumi Sugie, Angel De Jesus, coach Jacoby Winkfield and assistant coach Edna Delos Santos; sailings’ Tony and Emma Stearns and Janet McCullough; beach volleyball’s Andrew Johnson, Clay McCullough-Stears, and coach Darcy Wylie; and triathlon’s Peter Prestley and Brad Ruszala.

White made it to Port Moresby first last Tuesday, while the first batch of athletes and officials arrived in the host city last Wednesday.

“We just got here a few hours (last Wednesday) ago and it’s pretty impressive. They built all new dorms (at the Athletes Village) for us to stay in and the food is really good,” said Prestley in a message sent to Saipan Tribune last Wednesday night.

The Athletes Village is located inside the University of Papua New Guinea and houses over 4000 athletes and officials.

After settling in at the Athletes Village, Prestley along with Ruszala had practice runs in PNG last Wednesday afternoon and then joined the CNMI swim team’s practice at the Taurama Aquatic Centre and Indoor Sports Complex yesterday.

“I, Peter, and Tony swam at the pool and joined our swimmers and coach Jacoby. We haven’t seen the course yet, but we’re riding tomorrow (today) morning,” Ruszala said in a message to Saipan Tribune yesterday.

The Commonwealth’s triathletes will open Team CNMI’s bid in the Pacific Games as they compete in the individual race this Sunday in Konedobu. The triathlon competition will kick off at 8:30am with participants negotiating the 750m swim leg, 20K bike race, and 5K run course.

Meanwhile, with majority of the delegates from 24 participating countries now in PNG, security issues have been raised as the host will be bustling with people until July 18.

Pacific Games Council Executive Director Andrew Minogue said more than 3,000 security personnel have been mobilized to secure the safety of the athletes, officials, and residents.

“We know that security is a major concern and we have prepared for that. Now we can deliver the Games,” Minogue was quoted as saying in a report published at the Pacific Games’ official website.