Over 160 CNMI athletes bound for Palau Mini Games

RNZ News

12-05-2025

Janelle Pangilinan, left, and Jen Savellano in action during for CNMI during the Pacific Mini Games 2022. (file image)
Photo:
Northern Marianas Badminton Association
Over 160-member delegation of athletes, coaches, and officials will represent the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau.
CNMI chef de mission Nick Gross has confirmed Team NMI's participation in nine out of 12 official sports.
"This will be one of the largest CNMI delegations we've ever sent to a Mini Games," Gross said in an interview.
"It's a testament to how far we've come in terms of athlete development and how committed our sports federations are in making sure we show up, compete, and grow."
The CNMI will compete in baseball, softball, athletics, swimming, triathlon, beach volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, and va'a (outrigger canoe). In addition, the CNMI will also field a team in 3x3 basketball, which is being contested as a stand-alone FIBA qualifier.
Of the nine, Gross expects the CNMI to do well baseball, swimming, beach volleyball, and weightlifting.
"While we look forward to fantastic performances from all of our sports being represented, we are looking forward to medaling in baseball, swimming (numerous events), beach volleyball, and weightlifting (numerous), and we're hopeful to pick-up medals in a few other sports, as well."
Sports not represented are judo, table tennis, and archery due to the absence of active national federations or readiness to field competitive teams.
This will be one of the largest CNMI delegations we've ever sent to a Pacific Mini Games
Photo:
Mark Rabago
"We wanted to be in every sport, but we also have to be realistic," Gross said.
"Without local federations to govern and train athletes year-round in those sports, we simply couldn't meet the standards or timelines."
He added that efforts are underway to rebuild those federations in time for the 2026 Northern Marianas Pacific Games.
Several events in Palau will include 19-under divisions, such as wrestling, swimming, triathlon, indoor volleyball, and va'a. Gross welcomed the shift.
"This opens the door for our up-and-coming athletes. It gives our youth the chance to compete on the international stage and get battle-tested," he said.
For 3x3 basketball, the age window is 18 to 23 years old, as the event doubles as a qualifier for the FIBA Asia Cup.
"The Mini Games Council wants to see developmental pipelines from all nations, and this new format helps achieve that. We're adjusting, and in the long run it strengthens our sports programs."
With travel costs surging, the CNMI's sports governing body, the Northern Marianas Sports Association, is covering approximately 60 percent of travel and per diem costs for athletes and officials.
"This would not be possible without the support of our community and government," Gross said.
"This is a real team effort," Gross said. "We've had parents, schools, companies, and agencies step up. Now it's time for our athletes to step up and represent."
Gross said all rosters are nearly finalized and will be submitted to the Palau Games organizing committee by May 15. Team NMI is expected to be especially competitive in baseball, beach volleyball, swimming, and weightlifting.
While winning medals remains the goal, Gross said the larger mission is to gain experience, build camaraderie, and keep raising the CNMI's international profile.
"Every Games, we improve. We're more organized, more prepared, and more motivated. These athletes are not just representing themselves-they're representing the next generation."
The 2025 Pacific Mini Games will open next month in Palau.