‘Come together for 2021 Mini Games’

From left, NMSA president Michael White, NMSA vice president Kurt Barnes, Pacific Games Council executive director Andrew Minogue, Pacific Games Council president Vidhya Lakhan, and 2021 Pacific Mini Games’ oversight committee chair Jerry Tan pose for a photo after a media briefing on the quadrennial event yesterday at the conference room of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Pacific Games Council president Vidhya Lakhan and executive director Andrew Minogue are urging the CNMI to work together for the historic hosting of the 2021 Pacific Mini Games.

“Come together for the 2021 Mini Games. Join hands in bringing this wonderful event to the CNMI,” said Lakhan, who arrived on Saipan last Monday to get updates on the Commonwealth’s preparations for the quadrennial competition.

The PGC head made special mention of the key roles that the CNMI government will play in holding the Mini Games on Saipan for the first time.

“The government should understand the cost of having the Games here and provide financial support to the local organizing committee (NMSA). The Pacific Games Council will then work with Northern Marianas Sports Association to monitor the progress of the CNMI’s preparation for the Games,” added Lakhan.

NMSA, during its presentation to the PGC’s general assembly in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea in 2014, with the approval of the late governor Eloy S. Inos, has estimated the cost of the Mini Games at $1,160,000. Of the over $1-million budget for the event, $650,000 will come from participation fees from the 22 nations, $250,000 from the government, and the remaining $260,000 from the private sector through sponsorships.

Lakhan said that with the government’s help and the support of the local sports officials, business community, and the CNMI residents, the PGC is positive that the host country can deliver one of the best Mini Games in the region.

Lakhan and Minoque were scheduled to meet with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres or his representatives yesterday afternoon to explain further what is expected from the CNMI as a host and ask again for the Commonwealth’s commitment to the Mini Games. The two officials along with NMSA president Michael White vice president Kurt Barnes were also set to sit down with local sports federations’ leaders last night.

“The local sports federations must understand that they are not only competing in the Mini Games, but also running their respective tournaments. They have to understand that they will play a very important role in making sure the competition will be conducted well,” Minogue said.

The CNMI is offering 12 sports for the Mini Games. The list includes athletics, badminton, golf, tennis, va’a (canoe), volleyball (indoor and beach), baseball, sailing, swimming, triathlon, weightlifting, and wrestling

“As for the people of the CNMI, they are the strength of the host country as they are always very welcoming to visiting athletes and officials and their families,” the PGC executive director added.

Meanwhile, Jerry Tan, the chair of the Mini Games’ oversight committee, assured the visiting officials that the CNMI has a solid group of people working for the hosting of the Games.

“We have representatives from both the government and business sectors working together with NMSA and our sports officials to move forward with the preparations for the Games and get the job done.

Tan added that the oversight and organizing committees plan to send people to Vanuatu next year for the 2017 Mini Games to observe how the event is run.

“We will make sure we will send the right people to learn how to do it (Mini Games hosting) and execute these steps when it is time for us to hold the Mini Games here in 2021,” Tan said.