“IT’S quite exciting. According to the Pacific Games Council, we’re pretty much ahead compared to other [games in the past and] although we’re 27 days away [from the mini games], it looks like we’re going down to the wire but we will deliver,” Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee CEO Ben Babauta said on Friday.
The CNMI will host the games on June 17-25, 2022.
For athletics, Babauta said the resurfacing of the Oleai track and the hammer cage installation have already been completed.
For the badminton venue, general repairs are ongoing but the air-conditioning system has been installed and the right voltage transformers will be acquired soon, he added.
As for the basketball rims, Babauta said they will be replaced in the next few days.
For baseball, “we’re on target,” he said. “95% of the repairs are completed such as the perimeter fences, lights, fiber optic cables thanks to IT&E, with the press box and cage dugouts near completion and scoreboard on its way.”
As for tennis, resurfacing has started and should be completed by May 27, Babauta said.
The volleyball facility is 85% completed while the va’a or canoe race course is ready to be used based on a “dry run” conducted recently, he added.
He said the golf course on Saipan and Rota’s triathlon course are ready for action.
On Tinian, he added, the beach volleyball venue has been relocated from Jones Beach to Tachao Beach which has more space and more sand.
Lastly, for weightlifting, temporary air-conditioning units are being installed at Marianas High School gym thanks to Chong Corporation, Babauta said.
“By June 1st everything will be done and we will start installing our logistics offices, including tents for the medics and broadcasting,” he added.
The steeplechase barriers have been installed at the track of the Oleai Sports Complex.
The installation of a hammer cage at the Oleai Sports Complex has been completed.
