Weightlifting team needs help

This photo of the CNMI Weightlifting Team is posted on the gofundme.com website, as the group aims to seek financial assistance for its participation in the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa. (Contributed Photo)

The CNMI Weightlifting Team’s participation in the 2019 Pacific Games is in jeopardy as the group is having a hard time raising funds for the competition.

“I am not sure. Fundraising is tough,” CNMI Weightlifting Federation president John Davis said when asked for updates on their preparations for the quadrennial event in Apia, Samoa during the Northern Marianas Sports Association monthly meeting last Thursday at the conference room of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

NMSA has estimated the cost to send a delegate to Samoa at $3,000 and it could only provide $600 financial assistance to each participant. NMSA, during the same meeting, also disclosed that it has already reached out to the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation to seek financial aid and has yet to get a response. NMSA president Michael White, in previous meetings with teams that have committed to send athletes and officials to the Pacific Games, has reiterated the urgency of fundraising early for the competition, as there is no guarantee that government help will be available.

The weightlifting group and other federations have been fundraising for their teams, but some are still having problems in finding money to cover the costs of the trip to Samoa, especially after Super Typhoon Yutu hit the Commonwealth. Time is also not on weightlifters’ side, as the Pacific Games are just a few months away (July 7 to 20) and athletes’ names must be submitted by May. The CNMI Weighlifting Team has four members (three men and one women)

However, despite the financial challenges and the uncertainty on their participation in the Pacific Games, Davis said their athletes continue to train.

“We have a team than can win medals,” said the weightlifting group head.

In last year’s Micronesian Games in Pohnpei, the CNMI weightlifters won 15 medals (six golds)—the most by any group from Team Marianas. In 2017, during the Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu, Angel San Nicolas brought home a bronze—the lone medal the CNMI won in the event.

San Nicolas is back for national team duties along with Micro Games gold medalist Antonette Labausa, 2018 NMSA Male Athlete of the Year Rodrigo Ada, and Dave Barnes Jr.

The group, through the leadership of Davis, has launched another fundraising bid in their last-ditch effort to make it to Samoa. The weightlifters are asking for help through the gofundme.com. To help or for more information, check gofundme.com and look for CNMI To Samoa 2019 or click www.gofundme.com/samoa-2019.

As of yesterday, over $400 has been raised out of the $30,000 goal. Funds that will be raised will also help the team compete in the Oceania Championships.