The first events for the Pacific Mini Games have started in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, even as the final sporting contingents continue to arrive.

The first events for the Pacific Mini Games have started in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, even as the final sporting contingents continue to arrive.

The games' opening ceremony is actually on Friday but the first matches for Tennis and Baseball get underway today.

RNZ Pacific's correspondent in Saipan, Mark Rabago said baseball, in particular, is starting with an exciting match-up for the home crowd.

"Baseball will have its first game between Micronesian rivals, CNMI or team NMI, which is what they want to be called, and Guam, the defending gold medalists in the Pacific Games," Rabago said.

The Pacific Mini Games involves around a thousand athletes from 20 Pacific Island countries and territories competing in 9 sports from the 16th to the 25th of June.

Meanwhile, 80 athletes from French Polynesia have left for the Northern Marianas.

The athletes will participate in eight disciplines out of the nine being contested.

The French Olympic Committee has spent more than USD$217,000 to get the delegation to the games.