Saipan Tribune

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

2014 Micro Games cost: $1,200 per delegate

Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association has estimated the cost to participate in the 2014 Micronesian Games in Pohnpei at $1,200 per delegate and has set a payment scheme for next year's competition.

NMASA president Michael White during the group's monthly meeting last week at the conference room of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium said payments will be accepted in two installments. The initial payment of $600 should be made by July 1 this year, while the last must be completed by Jan. 1, 2014.

The cost for next year's Micro Games is higher than the $950 NMASA set for the 2010 competition in Palau and at this time no financial assistance from neither NMASA nor the government has been made available, so White is encouraging its members to start their fundraising drives.

Three years ago, NMASA shouldered the $250 of the cost of the Palau trip, while the government shelled out $60,000, and the rest came from either the participating athletes' pockets or their respective association's funds.

Majority of the payment for next year's Micro Games will go to airfare and the rest will be for the per diem, which is pegged at $50 per day.

Pohnpei is proposing to have the Games in July and competitions will run for 10 days. No final list of sports calendar has been released, but during Pohnpei's bid proposal in Palau in 2010, the host state named 13 sports: basketball (men's and women's), indoor volleyball (men's and women), baseball (men), softball, athletics, swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, outrigger canoe, Micro All-Around, lawn tennis, and spearfishing.

As for the venues, White said facilities are being refurbished, including the track and field oval and the Pohnpei government in its letter circulated to Micro Games members assured that the host has available funds and logistics to hold the quadrennial event.

NMASA banquet tonight

Meanwhile, the 2012 NMASA Annual Sports Banquet will be held tonight at the Kanoa Resort.

Top athletes, coaches, and other officials will be honored in the ceremony that will start at 7pm.

NMASA will be giving out the Athletes of the Year, TSL Foundation Student Athletes of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Sports Administrator of the Year awards as well as other citations for outstanding individuals.

Winners of the NMASA monthly awards will also be recognized and are encouraged to attend the ceremony to receive their hardware. The association will also be honored to have members of the elite CNMI Sports Hall of Fame at the banquet.