The Northern Marianas has pulled out from hosting the 2021 Pacific Mini Games due to the destruction brought by Super Typhoon Yutu in late October.
A school building is damaged after Super Typhoon Yutu Photo: RNZ Pacific / Mark Rabago
Governor Ralph Torres said Yutu had strained the CNMI's coffers and its effect of private businesses has greatly affected the government's ability to financially back the Mini Games.
Mr Torres said while the impact that sports and athletics have on the local community and a region is profound, the unfortunate timing of the Category 5 super typhoon has shifted the government's focus to recovery and rebuilding.
Ralph Torres takes oath as 12th CNMI governor Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Mark Rabago
Pacific Games Council Vice President Laurent Cassier said it was unfortunate but organisers are already working on a new hosting option.
"CNMI is withdrawing its commitments to host the 2021 Pacific Mini Games due in large part to the devastation to the major sports facilities by Super Typhoon YUTU," he said.
#pacificgamescouncil #CNMI @TahitinuiTV @lncnc @ncla1ere @RNZPacific Unfortunately, “CNMI is withdrawing its commitments to host the 2021 Pacific Mini Games due in large part to the devastation to the major sports facilities by Super Typhoon YUTU”
— Laurent Cassier (@Laurent_Cassier) March 18, 2019
PGC is working on a new option
The CNMI government was projected to shoulder $US250,000 out of the nearly $US1.2 million needed to host the 2021 quadrennial event with the rest of the monies coming from the participation fees and private sector sponsorships.
Aside from destruction to homes and private businesses, the CNMI's sports venues also took a pounding from Yutu.
The lack of labourers due to a current ban on construction workers from the Philippines exacerbated the problem.
