Janelle Pangilinan, left, and Jen Savellano in action during the Pacific Mini Games 2022. Photo: Northern Marianas Badminton Association
A year after the Northern Marianas hosted the Pacific Mini Games the organising committee still owes vendors and officials money.
Finance Secretary Tracy Norita said it was because the previous administration didn't remit the full amount of the promised $US4 million it had budgeted for the Games.
She said only $2.5 million has been allocated.
The money still to be paid includes incentives to officials, accommodation costs, performances, car rentals, shipping, utilities, among other expenses.
Due to the economic slowdown and damage to facilities brought by Super Typhoon Yutu in 2018, the Marianas government originally balked at hosting the Mini Games. originally set for 2021.
It eventually accepted the hosting reins of the 2022 Mini Games albeit a scaled-down version of it with just six events.
Facilities funded by grants
The man heading the 2023 Pacific Games being hosted by Solomon Islands later this year has clarified that the China stadium-funded project is a grant and not a loan.
In his responses to claims being made in Honiara that the facilities built were funded by a Chinese loan, Jimmie Rodgers said those making the claims were misleading people.
Dr Rodgers said the stadium is a gift by Beijing to the people of Solomon Islands.
He added that the Futsal Stadium, which was built by the Government of Indonesia at Panatina, the Solomon Islands Football Federation's new home at the old Taiwanese Farm, and the Water Facilities for Sol2023 South Pacific Games were also funded through grants.
Meanwhile, Dr Rodgers said preparations for the 2023 Pacific Games are on track.
He told local media the Games Organising Committee and its team have been hard at work in helping Solomon Islands deliver a successful Games come November and December.
"We are merely four months out from the start of the Games. We are now in the final stretch on our preparations and the good news is that we are on track - our preparations are well on track," Dr Rodgers said.
