During last month’s meeting NMASA welcomed on board its first employee, Josephine Togawa. It also discussed the upcoming 2011 Pacific Games where the CNMI will compete in the men’s golf, men’s and women’s beach volleyball, men’s and women’s athletics, and men’s and women’s soccer games.
A total of 48 competitors and 12 coaches will represent the CNMI in Noumea, New Caledonia. The 2011 Pacific Games will kick off on Aug. 27 and run through Sept.10.
Other matters discussed were the 2011 University Games in Shenzhen, China on Aug. 12-13 The CNMI has the opportunity to send high school students who meet the qualifications.
Last month, the bid for CNMI to host the Pacific Mini-Games in 2017 was turned in. Representatives will be sent to the 2011 Pacific Games to explain the bid proposal at the council meeting. Representatives will include Gov. Benigno Fitial, Michael White, Rose Igitol, Emelinda Cabrera, among others.
The CNMI, Vanuatu, and Nauru are the three nations that have submitted their proposals.
NMASA president Michael White, in an email to Variety, explains the CNMI’s chances against the two other bidders to host the event. “Nauru is difficult to get to. It will need to build or conduct major renovations on every major sports facility.”
He added that it is not an attractive tourist destination and its proposed per diem is $50 per day. “I am very confident that our bid will be viewed as superior,” said White.
The bid will be awarded on Sept. 4 during the Pacific Games council meeting.
