Pacific Games Council

Executive Director of Pacific Games Council, Andrew Minogue said they have engaged a local solicitor to proceed with the legal action.

After Tonga withdrew, the only country that has expressed their interest to host the game is Samoa while New Caledonia will support Tahiti to host the game.

Prime Minister of Samoa Tuilaepa Sailele Malielagaoi has already indicated his government’s willingness to support the bid for Samoa to host the Games.

But Minogue said the decision will be made after July 31.

The same six countries and territories have held every edition of the Pacific Games to date, since the inaugural event in 1963.

Tonga was to be the seventh but pulled the plug last month, with the government citing financial reasons and different priorities.

Solomon Islands will host the Games for the first time in 2023 but has yet to confirm a site to build the main Games complex in Honiara.

The Government pulled its backing for the Games at the end of May, citing financial reasons.

The Pacific Games Council gave them until the end of June to address their concerns and said if there was no change in stance they would begin proceedings to seek damages through the court.

But the Prime Minister, 'Akilisi Pohiva, said the decision was final and his government wanted to focus its resources on more important areas of economic development.

Council President Vidhya Lakhan and CEO Andrew Minogue met with the Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva, and two of his ministers on Tuesday, in a last ditch attempt to try and change their minds.

But the Prime Minister said the cabinet's decision was final and they government wished to focus its resources on other more important areas of economic development.

Andrew Minogue said the Games Council met with a lawyer in Nuku'alofa this week and if there was no change in stance from the government by the end of June, they will begin proceedings to seek damages through the court.

The Council was formally advised of the government's decision to pull out on Wednesday, because of financial concerns, five days after the move was approved by cabinet.

The Pacific Games Council said it was not consulted in the decision and no attempt was made to seek their assistance to address the Government's financial concerns over staging the Games.

"We have a contract that we signed in 2012, when our General Assembly awarded Tonga the Games and there are termination and suspension clauses in the contract," said Council CEO Andrew Minogue.

Council President Vidhya Lakhan confirmed to Fiji’s Legend FM Sports there has been no notification from the Tongan government about withdrawing.

He says officially Tonga is still hosting the event.

Reports say Tonga has reviewed hosting the games following an analysis of the impact of hosting the event would have on the economy.

Tonga is reportedly processing its withdrawal documents to be submitted to the 2019 Pacific Games Council.

It would require a budget support of around 33 million US dollars by donor partners to host the event.

A tour of the Korman Stadium site, under construction with the support of the Chinese Government, was also conducted. 

Last week’s meetings follow on from President Lakhan’s last visit to Port Vila in May where the PGC General Assembly was conducted.  At that time, the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Charlot Salwai, publicly at the General Assembly and privately to President Lakhan, reaffirmed the Vanuatu Government’s commitment to hosting the 2017 Pacific Mini Games.

In particular, Lakhan welcomed the Leaders’ commitment to the “Sharing of knowledge, skills, preservation and promotion of our traditional and cultural values and sporting activities” as noted in paragraph 21c of the Hiri Declaration.

Lakhan said, “The Hiri Declaration recognises the excellent work of the region’s Sports Ministers which convened in Port Moresby on the eve of the highly successful 15th Pacific Games this past July in a Pacific Sports Ministers Meeting co-hosted by the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Games Council.  

PGC Executive Director Andrew Minogue says that part of their business plan is to provide benefits for athletes and their programmes.

“A number of sports are been used as qualification or ranking events at the games which from the Executive Board’s perspective is a very successful initiative.

Pacific Games Council (PGC) president Vidhya Lakhan told the local and international media today that the quality and standard of the Games Village is very good.

“The rooms are very comforting and the dining hall is exceptionally excellent.

 “All the Games venues including the village have far exceeded our expectations.’’

He said that despite the small issues like laundry and others, they are confident that the athletes will have a home away from home environment.