The Pacific Mini Games is a condensed version of the Pacific Games which will be held in New Caledonia this summer. The CNMI has hosted Oceania basketball and athletics competition but never the Pacific Games or Mini Games.
The committee arranging the paperwork for the bid is on a strict time schedule as it is due to be presented next month during the Pacific Games Council meeting.
As a part of the bid the committee along with the Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association is required to list international sporting events which the CNMI have hosted within the past 10 years.
President Michael White is now canvassing for the support of all federations that have hosted such an event. Please send him a one paragraph description, with details, that include what the event was, what year(s), how many countries, how many athletes/coaches/officials, and any other information that might help show that the CNMI is capable of hosting the Mini Games.
“Thanks to basketball and triathlon, which have already given me information I can use. I hope to hear from the rest of you very soon, especially beach volleyball, baseball, sailing, and athletics, which I know have hosted international events.” Micheal White said in an email to the Marianas Variety.
“I need this absolutely as soon as possible. I appreciate your courtesy, and hope to hear from you. Thanks for your help.” White added.
If the bid is approved by the Pacific Games Council, it would result in the largest sporting event ever held in the CNMI, surpassing the Micronesian Games in 2006 and 1990 and the Micronesian Olympics in 1969. Up to 2000 athletes from all over Oceania are expected to attend the Mini Games, participating in up to 15 sports as determined by the host country.
For the bid to be successful, plans would be needed to upgrade facilities such as the Ada Gym, swimming pool and the track and field grandstand. White said the event would inject millions of dollars into the CNMI economy.
On the other hand, the general meeting for the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) will run from March 23-27th in Noumea.
The organizing committee and host venue for the 2011 Pacific Games will be Noumea, New Caledonia. WALLIS & FUTUNA will be hosting the 2013 Pacific Mini Games. The Pacific Games in 2015 will be hosted by Papua New Guinea. And the 2017 Pacific Mini Games may possibly be hosted by the Northern Marianas Islands.
