Six sports are to be played at next year’s XI Pacific Mini Games in Saipan, confirms Fiji Association of Sports And National Olympic Committee (FASANOC).

FASANOC chief executive officer Lorraine Mar said on Thursday this is compared to 14 sports played during the 2017 Mini Games in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

“Saipan had originally offered 12 sports but after the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Yutu in 2018, they were going to withdraw from hosting the Mini Games,” she said.

“However, after a visit from the Pacific Games president and executive director they were encouraged to consider a smaller Mini Games based on the facilities that they could have ready in time for 2021.”

Saipan agreed to continue with the hosting of the Mini Games in 2021 with a reduced programme of six sports which are Athletics (including Para), Badminton, Baseball, Beach Volleyball, Golf and Triathlon.

CLASH OF DATE

The reschedule of the Olympic Games to next year will affect the Mini Games.

The Pacific Games Council has requested the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to consider changing the dates for the 2021 Pacific Mini Games.

“The postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games until 2021 does impact on the Pacific Mini Games which had been scheduled for the second two weeks of June, next year in the CNMI,” Mar said.

“The Pacific Games Council (PGC) executive director has advised the Board that they will closely liaise with the Games Organisers in Saipan to ensure that there is no clash between the two events and that there is a reasonable separation period for its NOC members.

“FASANOC supports the PGC’s call for support to “allow our friends in the CNMI every possible latitude given their economy was only just starting to recover from the 2018’s Super Typhoon Yutu when this COVID-19 pandemic struck, and they have been sorely affected.

“We ask all Pacific Games Associations for their patience as we work through the scheduling issues for the Mini Games.”

The Olympic Games is from July 23 to August 8, next year.

TEAM FIJI

Mar said while FASANOC has already put the relevant National Federations on call for information in regards to their participation as part of Team Fiji’s contingent in 2021, the deadline for submission of this information is suspended until further notice due to COVID-19.

“Once we’re able to return to work, we will be calling for applications for Chef de Mission and nominations for Team Officials. We also look forward to the announcement of the new dates for these Games.

“In the meantime, FASANOC encourages everyone to continue to be physically active at home while practising safe distancing, sanitizing and following the protocols announced by the Fiji Government in regards to COVID-19,” she added.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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