[1][2] Athletes from the Northern Marianas participated already at the 1969 Micronesian Games, (the Northern Marianas then still being part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands,)[3] and at the 1975 South Pacific Games as part of a combined Micronesia team.

[4] The foundation of NMA is reported for 1980, as well as its affiliation to the IAAF in the year 1989.

[5] Kurt Barnes served as president of NMA until he stepped down in 2009.

[4] Current president is former congressman Ray Tebuteb.

[1][2][6] Moreover, it is part of the following national organisations: NMA maintains the Northern Mariana Islands records in athletics.