The 2015 Pacific Games Organizing Committee are in the final stages of their preparations for the 15th edition of the quadrennial sporting event with GOC chief executive officer Peter Stewart assuring all competing nations that they\u2019ve been doing everything as planned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith only five months until the 2015 Pacific Games opening ceremony, the GOC\u2019s focus is on completing the planning process that was implemented two and a half years ago,\u201d said Stewart in a commentary sent to all Pacific Games member federations.<\/p>\n
Stewart said that the GOC, just like the athletes who are in the final phase of their training, is also in the last stages of their preparation in hosting the quadrennial sporting event.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very confident that the Games will be delivered as planned because of the number of critical and very important things we have achieved and committed for,\u201d said Stewart<\/p>\n
He added PNG is prepared to welcome the region\u2019s elite athletes and fans are eager to see them compete at their best.<\/p>\n
Stewart also expects that veteran athletes will renew their rivalries while newcomers will just start theirs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe battle to see which nation will be able to improve their medal tally in this year\u2019s edition will be the highlight of the Pacific Games with athletes keen to either avenge or defend their performances.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also expects that new heroes will rise before the Games end. \u201cBut by the closing ceremony we will be singing praises to a new crop of champions who would have thrilled us with their exploits.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSome will produce world class performances that will put their nation on the sporting map while others will astound us with their ability to overcome what appeared to be insurmountable odds for the honor of representing their country.\u201d<\/p>\n
The GOC is also nearing to hit its target of securing the 60 million kina (US$23.06 million) for the Pacific Games with 30 million kina (US$11.05 million) coming from sponsorship alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur target has been to raise 60 million kina and we are just about to reach that because currently the funds we have secured sits at 55 million kin (US$21.1 million), which is a combination of sponsorship and government support.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are on track and very confident that we will reach our target to deliver these games successfully.\u201d<\/p>\n
In other new, Northern Marianas Sports Association president Michael White has advised all member sports federations of the CNMI that are planning to send athletes to the Pacific Games to give him the information of their respective delegates.
\n\u201cRegistration for the Games is now open because we are going to send a fairly large delegation, I would like to get started as soon as possible, rather than wait until the last minute,\u201d said White in an email.<\/p>\n
He added that federations can register as many people but if a person is not registered by the deadline the athlete cannot compete.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo if you are ready to register any athletes, coaches, or officials, please let me have their names. If they have been registered for the Pacific Games or Micro Games in the past 10 years, I don\u2019t need any further information\u2014although some people may want to update their photos.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they have not been registered for another event within the past 10 years, I need a photocopy of their passport, and a passport-size photo.\u201d<\/p>\n
White added that only U.S. citizen athletes are eligible to compete in the Pacific Games but the rule does not apply to coaches or officials.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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