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Mini Games launch ceremony on June 17
CNMI Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee chief executive officer Ben Babauta gives updates on the upcoming Pacific Mini Games 2020 that will be hosted by the CNMI in 2022 during the Northern Marianas Sports Association’s meeting last week at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium conference room. (Kimberly B. Esmores)
The Pacific Mini Games 2022 in the Northern Marianas will hold an official launch ceremony on June 17, 2021, to begin the one-year countdown to the games, expected to draw up over 1,000 athletes from across the Pacific.
The ceremony will be led by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and will be held at 4:30pm at the Oleai Sports Complex, the venue for several of the games.
“We anticipate that the Pacific Mini Games will be the largest sporting event in the Northern Marianas in 2022, and we are excited to give our Pacific-wide athletes the first glimpses of what they can expect when they come to compete,” said Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee chief executive officer Ben Babauta. “The launch ceremony acknowledges the work already being undertaken by the committee, local federations, and contractors to ensure our facilities and all arrangements are ready, and it will be an opportunity to get the local community excited and involved in the Games leading into 2022.
The ceremony will include remarks by Torres and other dignitaries, an indigenous cultural presentation, and official unveiling of the PMG logo.
The Northern Marianas has pledged $4 million to host the Mini Games, which will be held on June 17-25, 2022. The games are a multi-sport event governed by the Pacific Games Committee and are as a scaled-down version of the Pacific Games, held every alternating four years. The PGC is also supporting the event financially, and fundraising for cash and in- kind support will also be conducted.
The Mini Games will include athletics, badminton, baseball, golf, beach volleyball, tennis, triathlon, and va’a (outrigger canoe) at various venues around Saipan.
COVID-19 protocols will be followed at the launch ceremony.
For more information, contact the 2022 Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee at marianassports@gmail.com. (PR)
