Plunkett named chef de mission

Triathlon Association of the CNMI official Paul Plunkett was selected as Team CNMI’s chef de mission for the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa.

Plunkett, whose appointment was announced during the Northern Marianas Sports Association’s monthly meeting last month, will work with NMSA and the Pacific Games organizers in Samoa in ensuring that CNMI athletes and officials’ participation in the competition from July 7 to 20 will run smoothly.

“I would like to meet with the CNMI delegates as often as possible leading up to the Games, so we could organize things and make sure that we get everything ready and in order when we get to Samoa,” said Plunkett.

The Commonwealth will be sending athletes in triathlon, athletics, golf, swimming, tennis, canoe, rugby and possibly beach volleyball.

TRAC will bring three athletes to Samoa this summer, while Northern Mariana Islands Swimming Federation will have six and a coach. Northern Marianas Athletics is sticking to its four-athlete team (two male and two female) plus a coach, while Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Association has initially committed both men’s and women’s teams (four members for each squad). Northern Marianas National Paddle Sports Federation has also expressed its intension to bring men’s and women’s canoe teams to Samoa, while rugby (sevens) and golf (men’s team) are still a go.

Beach volleyball qualifiers

Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Federation is the latest local sports group to inform NMSA of its plan to compete in the quadrennial competition.

NMIVA will only join the men’s beach volleyball and will be holding a two-leg qualifier to select its representatives to the Pacific Games. The first qualifier is set for April 28 and with teams playing in pool play and then double-elimination playoffs at the Hyatt Regency Saipan court. The second qualifier will follow the same format and is scheduled for May 12, also at the Hyatt court.

Off-island players interested in representing the CNMI in Samoa, but could not join the qualifiers are asked to submit videos of their matches for consideration.

Players who will be selected will have to raise funds on their own to make the trip to Samoa, as NMIVA is not expecting to receive financial aid besides the limited assistance CNMI delegates will get from NMSA. The cost (including airfare and accommodation) to participate in the Pacific Games is estimated at $3,000 per delegate.