Team CNMI to join 3 events in ’17 Mini Games

The CNMI’s Leo Cristobal, running fourth, races in the 1, 500m event in the 2016 Micronesian Athletics Championships held in Pohnpei. The Commonwealth will join the athletics competition in the 2017 Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu. (Kaselehli Press Photo)

Three local sports federations have confirmed their participation in the 2017 Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu.

Athletics, golf, and rugby 7s, during the Northern Marianas Sports Association meeting early this month at the conference room of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, announced that they will be sending athletes and officials to the quadrennial competition that will run from Dec. 2 to 14 in Port Vila.

Refaluwasch Golfers Association’s Tony Rogolifoi said they are bringing four female and four male par-busters in Vanuatu, while athletics will have four-person team plus a coach, according to Northern Marianas Athletics’ Elias Rangamar. Rugby 7s, which is represented by Stanley Iakopo, said they are fielding a team and will also have their officials going to Port Vila late next year. Squads participating in the rugby 7s are allowed to have a maximum of 12 players of their roster.

Other local federations, such as volleyball (beach) have earlier expressed an interest to the Mini Games, but could not commit at this early stage. The Vanuatu2017 Organizing Committee has set the deadline for submission of entries by numbers next month, while NMSA president Michael White scheduled the deadline earlier. Failure to honor their commitment (in participating in the Mini Games) will result to monetary penalties to the island-nation and in the NMSA/CNMI’s case, the local federation will shoulder the fines.

Besides athletics, rugby 7’s, and golf, other sports lined up in next year’s competition are volleyball (indoor and beach), soccer, tennis, weightlifting, archery, cricket, boxing, judo, karate, netball, and table tennis.

Thea, Mikayla to Summer Universiade

Meanwhile, Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Association’s Jeff Race has officially confirmed in the same NMSA meeting that they are interested in sending two athletes and a coach in Chinese-Taipei for the 2017 World University Games/Summer Universiade.

Race, in an earlier interview with Saipan Tribune, said if selected (based on NMSA board decision) NMITA will be represented in the Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire-sanctioned competition by NCAA Division II player and Henderson State University standout Thea Minor and New Mexico Military Institute rookie Mikayla Lopez.

White after getting confirmation from NMITA said other local federations who have athletes (in the 17 to 25 age group) enrolled in a university/college or in post high school institution) are still welcome to apply for the slots given to the CNMI. If more than two athletes and coaches will via for the World University Games slots, NMSA will find a way to divide the financial assistance (airfare and accommodation costs) they will be getting from the organizes among the chosen participants. However, others sports group have only until next month to confirm their participation to the tournament that will be held from Aug. 19 to 30.