PRESS STATEMENT : In light of the continuing COVID-19 situation and in consultation with the 22 member Pacific Games Associations, the Pacific Games Council has agreed to the request of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Governor, the Hon. Ralph Torres, and the host PGA, the Northern Marianas Sports Association, to defer the 11th Pacific Mini Games until 17-25th June 2022.
Earlier this year, the original dates of June 2021 were effectively rendered inoperable by the rescheduling of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The PGC then requested that the hosts in CNMI consider a December 2021 timeframe for the Games. However, the schools and associated infrastructure required to accommodate, feed and transport the athletes, will still be required for education purposes at that time, with the CNMI education calendar aligned to that in the U.S.
The PGC and its membership is therefore proud to support the CNMI in their ambition to host their first ever Pacific Mini Games in June 2022, notwithstanding the many challenges of COVID-19 and 2018’s Super Typhoon Yutu, which have damaged the CNMI economy.
President Vidhya Lakhan said, “I wish to personally thank Governor Torres for his continued support for the CNMI hosting their first ever Pacific Mini Games in 2022, despite the economic and health challenges posed by the pandemic. The member Pacific Games Associations stand ready to support these Games in 2022 and we all wish the CNMI the best of luck as it deals with the challenges we are all facing at this time”.