CNMI spends over $99K for Mini Games

The CNMI Delegation had a successful stint in the 2005 Palau South Pacific Mini Games, returning with a total of 30 medals and making good use of the over $99,000 spent throughout its participation.

This according to Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association president Michael White, who disclosed during Thursday’s monthly meeting that the delegation spent a total of $99,322.39 for the Games.

White said that majority of the funds was used to shoulder airfare expense for the 129 delegates, totaling about $76,000.

Another $18,000 was used to cover perdium, about $2,180 was used to shoulder departure tax fees, and another $500 for miscellaneous expenditures.

With the total amount, about $677.61 remains unused from the $100,000 appropriated by the government for the delegation.

Those in attendance at the meeting agreed with White on spending the remaining funds on a recognition ceremony for athletes, coaches, and supporters, which will be held sometime soon.

The date of the ceremony has yet to be designated as the event is still in the early parts of organizing.

Appointed to handle the organizing of the event are NMASA board members Margaret Palacios and Jess Wabol.

The ceremony will serve as a venue for all to recognize the delegation’s efforts and accomplishments during the Games. Each delegate will also receive participation medals, which were provided by the host country.

Representatives of each sport agreed with White during one of the many coaches meeting in Palau that the medals will be distributed upon return to Saipan.

The delegation’s swimmers led the CNMI medal haul with a total of 25, while triathlon-aquaton competitors earned two gold and a silver; table tennis bagged a bronze; and wrestler Joe Ocampo won a silver.

White also urged each team to submit a report on their experience at the Games during the next NMASA meeting, which is scheduled for Sept. 1 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium conference room.

Meanwhile, White urged all sport representatives at the meeting to begin prepping for next year’s Micronesian Games, which could possibly be held on Saipan from June 23 to July 7.

White also suggested that teams bear in mind that the cost per athlete to the 2007 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa is roughly $3,000, and that interested teams must begin fundraising for the expense.

“We should start fundraising, if not to use for the Micro Games then for Apia, Samoa,” he said.