THE organizing committee of the 2022 Pacific Mini Games will host a launch event on June 17, Thursday, at 4:30 p.m. at the Oleai Sports Complex.
2022 Pacific Mini Games chief executive officer Ben Babauta Jr. speaks during the meeting of the organizing committee Tuesday in the Ada gym conference room.
Contributed photo
During this event the 2022 Pacific Mini Games logo will be unveiled and the official 365-day countdown will kick off.
The Mini Games are scheduled to run from June 17 to 25, 2022 with 24 participating countries and territories.
Vicente “Ben” Babauta Jr., chief executive officer of the Mini Games,
said over 1,000 athletes and 200 technical officials will be on island.
The participating countries and territories will vie for medals in athletics, badminton, baseball, beach volleyball, golf, weightlifting, triathlon, tennis and va’a (canoe paddling.)
“It’s quite exciting as we also gear up our facilities to be in compliance and game-ready for top-level athletes,” Babauta said.
He noted that many of the athletes are also hoping to qualify for the Oceania and Olympic games.
“It’s exciting for Saipan to host and experience a first-class event, and to feature our culture while our businesses cater to visitors,” he added.
Babauta said he and the organizing committee are reaching out to hotels regarding rooms for athletes and sports officials.
“We want to make sure that we take care of our athletes, and that they are also provided with food, and transportation. Our fallback will be Marianas High School where we can create living quarters, but we are trying to secure hotel rooms first,” Babauta said.
Because Covid-19 still poses a threat, the Pacific Mini Games will continue to comply with safety protocols, he added.
Babauta said each jurisdiction will be responsible for their athletes’ health clearances and vaccination.
“On our end, there will be testing upon arrival, and monitoring. The three W’s — Wear a mask, Wash your hands, Watch your distance —
and proper hygiene will be observed throughout the nine-day event,” he added.
As for the facilities, Babauta said the governor’s authorized representative Patrick Guerrero “has been working really hard alongside the construction and engineering” teams.
The plans include upgrading the air-conditioning system at the Ada gym, resurfacing the track & field and the American Memorial Park/Pacific Islands Club tennis courts, and repairing baseball fields, Babauta said.
He added that Crown Plaza, the former Fiesta Resort, will host beach volleyball while Kilili Beach will be the venue for the va’a and triathlon events.
Babauta said based on their timeline, actual construction work may commence by June and/or July, but no later than December.
2022 Pacific Mini Games chief executive officer Ben Babauta Jr., left background, meets with the organizing committee Tuesday in the Ada gym conference room.
Contributed photo
