THE 10th Micronesian Games have been postponed indefinitely, according to Joey Miranda III, secretary general of the Micronesian Games Council.
The Games were supposed to be held in July 2023 in Majuro, Marshall Islands. They were initially scheduled for July-August 2022, but had to be delayed due to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the unfinished construction of the New Marshall Islands Stadium.
Miranda said the Marshall Islands president and cabinet “have stated at this time, with recommendations from the Ministry of Education and Sport, and based heavily on the challenges to construction due to the Covid-19 pandemic over the past two and a half years, and recommendations from the Public Works’ assessment of facility readiness for the July dates, that there will be a delay of the Games.”
Miranda added, “We will be seeking to reschedule the Games here in Majuro to a later date after communications with our [Micronesian Games Council] brothers and sisters and other sports leadership in our region.”
Northern Marianas National Paddle Sports Federation President Justin Andrew said the delay is a “bit disappointing because we were really looking forward to that schedule.”
Now, he added, “we must look [again] at our work and training schedule.”
The federation earlier announced a meeting for the Micro Games that will take place on March 22 and 29.
Andrew said he still wants to meet with interested paddlers despite the postponement of the Games.
“Hopefully, we’ll also get more updates from the Northern Marianas Sports Association by then. If the Games will be postponed until the end of the year, then we still must start training now,” Andrew added.
