2024 Micronesian Games
 | |
| Host city | Majuro |
|---|---|
| Country |  Marshall Islands |
| Nations | 8 (anticipated) |
| Events | 14 sports |
| Opening | June 15, 2024 |
| Closing | June 24, 2024 |
| Website | Official website |
The 10th Micronesian Games will be held in Majuro, Marshall Islands. After initially being scheduled for July 25 to August 5, 2022, the competition was originally delayed a year because of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, including finishing construction of the New Marshall Islands Stadium.[1][2] The games will now be held June 15-24, 2024.[3]
History
This will be the first time that the Marshall Islands will host the tournament, having been announced as host in July 2018. The Marshall Islands received unanimous support after the Northern Mariana Islands withdrew their bid to host.[4]
The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation had indicated that the nation may field its first-ever national soccer team at the games.[5] However, in March 2023 MISF President Shev Livai stated that football would not be part of the tournament. The federation investigated the possibility of adding football to the schedule but hotels on the islands were already fully booked.[6]
In March 2023 it was announced that the tournament would again be delayed for an indefinite amount of time. The delay was necessary because of the construction progress of the stadium and sports arena. Progress was slowed by supply chain and worker shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Asia Pacific Airlines, the sole cargo carrier for the Marshall Islands, being grounded by the US Federal Aviation Administration since 1 February 2023.[7] A Radio New Zealand contributor indicated that the tournament may now be held in April 2024.[8]
Sports
Athletes will compete in 14 different sports at the games: athletics, basketball, 3v3 basketball, beach volleyball, fast-pitch softball, lawn tennis, the "Micronesian all-around", spearfishing, swimming/open-water swimming, table tennis, va'a, indoor volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling.[9]
References
- ^ Johnson, Giff. "Micronesian Games pushed back a year". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ Rabago, Mark. "NMITA: Happy for Micro Games postponement". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Micronesian Games now set for June 2024". Island Times. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
- ^ "Sport: Marshall Islands to host 2022 Micronesian Games". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ Ewart, Richard. "Small beginnings as Marshall Islands sets out to join the world soccer family". ABC. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ Hamilton, Tom. "The Marshall Islands are trying to build a soccer team, but their dreams extend far beyond sport". ESPN. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ "Micro Games put off to 2024". The Marshall Islands Journal. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ^ "Micronesian Games delayed due to issues with facilities". Islands Business. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ^ "Facilities Update" (PDF). Majol 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
