The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands believe they would have better medal opportunities if the two sports were added.

The Northern Marianas Sports Association (NMSA) has therefore launched a petition to include the two sports in the next edition of the Mini Games.

Andrew Minogue, chief executive of the Pacific Games Council, is not against the idea.

"It is possible to add sports back into the program but additional funding will need to be secured," he revealed to the Saipan Tribune.

"We will discuss that with the parties on Saipan next week."

Pacific Games Council President Vidhya Lakhan will be travelling with Minogue to CNMI, where they will meet with NMSA, organisers and Governor Ralph Torres.

Dates for the Mini Games are yet to be confirmed, but Minogue believes there is enough time to add the two sports to the programme.

"Tennis and weightlifting are extremely popular throughout the Pacific," he added.

Athletics, baseball, badminton, beach volleyball, golf and triathlon are the six sports confirmed as featuring.

However, NMSA President Jerry Tan and his organisation feel the addition of tennis and weightlifting would benefit the hosts, who at one pointed intended not to hold the Mini Games after being devastated by Super Typhoon Yutu in 2018.

"As a host country, I think most of you would appreciate, you really want to put in your best sports that would almost guarantee medals," Tan is quoted as saying by the Saipan Tribune.

"That’s how the host country always get a higher medal count from the previous Games when they adopt sports that they’re good at."