Pacific Games Council leadership visits the Northern Mariana Islands to check up on preparations for 2022 Pacific Mini Games

The Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee welcomed the leadership of the Pacific Games Council (PGC) during a visit to assess preparations for the regional multi-sport competition last week.

PGC President Vidhya Lakhan and CEO Andrew Minogue each met individually with members of the local organizing committee to discuss preparations for the Games. The pair also met with Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) Governor Ralph Torres during their visit.

Speaking on the state of preparations for the 2022 Pacific Mini Games, Lakhan stated, “overall, the Pacific Games Council is pleased with the benchmarks the Organizing Committee has been achieving. The NMI has captured the spirit of the Games and we see the support and excitement of the community.”

With the 50 days to go milestone approaching, local organizers have been busy preparing the venues set to be used during the Games. As reported by Around the Rings earlier this month, NMI Governor Ralph Torres himself paid a visit to the Oleai Sports Complex to check in on preparations for the Games.

At the time, Torres commented, “I applaud the efforts of the PMG Organizing Committee. Their dedication to put on this amazing event is remarkable. Further work is needed as we count down to the Games, but I am confident the work of the PMGOC, the sponsors and our government will create a spectacular event.”

The importance of a successful edition of the Pacific Mini Games was underlined by Lakhan during his visit to the island chain. “The success of these Games is in the best interest for the region as it will garner interest and the continuity of Games in the area,” said Lakhan.

Lakhan also noted the importance of the Games for the NMI, stating, “You want these Games to be something the Organizing Committee and the community at large will be proud of. This will be an event spoken about by future generations, highlighting the NMI and its accomplishments on a global platform.”

PGC CEO Andrew Minogue added, “President Lakhan has outlined the important objectives for the Games. We see the NMI has the people and the facilities. It’s just a matter of melding these objectives with the NMI people and their facilities for success.”

The organization and delivery of the 2022 Pacific Mini Games hasn’t been completely smooth, with natural disasters and global epidemiological situations forcing local organizers to amend their plans on more than one occasion.

Typhoon Yutu caused immense damage to the NMI when it made landfall in 2018. The situation forced local organizers to reduce their original plans for the Games in order to maintain their status as host.

The 2022 Pacific Mini Games then faced a second roadblock when the COVID-19 pandemic led to the postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. With a potential scheduling conflict looming, and uncertainty over the pandemic lingering, local organizers ultimately decided to postpone the Games to their current date.

Yet, in spite of all the roadblocks, local organizers have continued efforts to stage the Games. Now, with challenges to coordinating visas for visiting delegations looming, PGC CEO Andrew Minogue has made it clear how imperative it is that the issue is solved.

“Without athletes, we have no Games. That is one of the most important factors that make a Games successful. I’m positive the Organizing Committee, with the help of the government, will tackle this challenge and resolve any outstanding visa issues making sure we have competitive Games,” remarked Minogue.

In recognition of work put forth by local organizers, Lakhan and Minogue concluded, “with only 56 days until the NMIPMG22, we wish the Committee the best and are here to help,” adding, “we have every confidence in the ability to transform the place into a memorable event.”

The 2022 Pacific Mini Games are set to begin on June 17, 2022. It will be the first time in nearly three years that member nations of the Pacific Games Council have met for competition. The Games will close on June 25, 2022.

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