(Organizing Committee) — Tennis, weightlifting, and va’a (outrigger canoe) have been officially added to the list of events for the Pacific Mini Games 2022 scheduled for June of next year in the Northern Marianas.
In a letter to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Pacific Games Council Chief Executive Officer Andrew Minogue has advised that the PGC executive board approved the additional events during its meeting on April 7, 2022. At this time, an estimated 600-800 athletes are anticipated to participate in the Mini Games, which will also include athletics, badminton, baseball, golf, beach volleyball, and triathlon.
To boost participation, the PGC also pledged to fund 12 athlete per diems ($450 each) for each of the 24 participating nations, an unprecedented support program worth $130,000.
“We’re excited for the expansion of events for the Pacific Mini Games 2022 as it will allow a broader range of athletes to participate. It’s especially fitting to include outrigger canoe as part of our Pacific island heritage,” said Pacific Mini Games 2022 Chief Executive Officer Ben Babauta. “We are also very grateful to the Pacific Games Council for their pledged financial support toward athlete per diems, and we know many countries will also welcome this assistance in sending athletes to the games.”
The Northern Marianas has pledged $4 million to host the Mini Games, a multi-sport event governed by the PGC as a scaled-down version of the Pacific Games, held every alternating four years.
Fundraising for cash and in-kind support will also be conducted. Additional events may be added to the games by the Pacific Games Council.
For more information, contact the 2022 Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee at [email protected]
