Palau sports officials assured the CNMI and seven other island-nations that the 2010 Micronesian Games will push through as scheduled despite reports that the host is struggling to find funding for the event.
“As confirmed by the chairman of Micronesian Games Council (Bill Keldermans), the Games will go on as scheduled for next year. Please continue to train and make arrangement for your trip here,” Palau National Olympic Committee president Frank Kyota said in an e-mail forwarded to officials of participating island-nations in the Micronesian Games.
Saipan Tribune asked PNOC's reaction about the Pacific Island News Association's report that the 2010 Micronesian may be shelved due to funding problems and received the forwarded e-mail from PNOC secretary general Baklai Temengil as a response.
The report said Palau needs more than $1 million to host the Games with more than half of its coming from government coffers and the private sector footing the remaining tab.
At this time, Palau's Congress has yet to appropriate funds for the quadrennial meet, as the island is facing debt and a limited budget for next year. However, local sports officials are confident funding problems will be resolved in time for the hosting of the Games, which will run from Aug. 1 to 10.
“We are looking forward to seeing you all in Palau. If there would be any misleading information (media or otherwise) please communicate with us directly,” Kyota added in the same forwarded e-mail.
Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association president Michael White, in an e-mail to Saipan Tribune, was pleased to get an assurance from the organizing committee and PNOC officials.
“I am happy that the organizing committee has assured us that the Games will go ahead as scheduled. I am looking forward to sending a large 'Team Marianas' to next year's Micro Games, and to achieving a great deal of success there,” White said.
Besides the CNMI, other Micronesian island-nations expected to participate in the seventh staging of the quadrennial meet are Guam, Yap, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Chuuk, Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands.
They will compete in 15 disciplines, namely baseball, lawn tennis, swimming, triathlon, athletics, basketball, Micro All-Around, outrigger canoe, spear-fishing, fast-pitch softball, table tennis, weightlifting, beach volleyball, indoor volleyball, and wrestling.
Saipan hosted the 2006 Micronesian Games with Guam topping the overall medal tally with its 51 gold, 27 silver, and 18 bronze. The CNMI had the most medals with 98 after collecting 34 gold medals, 33 silver, and 31 bronze. Palau finished third with its 27-16-21 tally.
Home | Weather | Advertising | Classifieds | Subscription | Contact
Us | About Us | Archives
©2006 Saipan Tribune. All Rights Reserved
