2019 Pacific Games

Samoa 2019 chief executive aims to make history at Pacific Games

The Games are due to take place between July 7 and 20 but the country was only confirmed as host in December 2017.

Apia stepped in following the withdrawal of Tonga who cited financial concerns.

It means Samoan organisers have had a shorter time than usual to prepare for the quadrennial event.

"Friday marks 100 days until the Opening Ceremony of the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games, and to say that it has been a hectic year of preparations would be an understatement," said Matatia.

2019 Pacific Games Village impresses

Christophe Dabin is the General Secretary of the National French and Sporting Olympic Committee (CNOSF) of New Caledonia and knows this well.

He also understands the value of his team staying together in the Games Village at the Methodist Church Compound at Faleula at the XVI Pacific Games in July.

Any team who stays together, will win together,” he says.

This was also the philosophy of the Pacific Games Office in choosing the location and bringing the Games slogan, One in Spirit, into reality.

Pacific Games Council backs accommodation plans in Samoa

The original plan was for athletes to be housed in hotels but a lack of providers forced organisers to approach the Methodist Church of Samoa, who agreed to have the athletes stay at their Faleula compound.

Pacific Games Council CEO Andrew Minogue believes the change of plan is a blessing in disguise.

"It's a big advantage actually to have all of the athletes in one place, like we had in Port Moresby (four years ago) and in New Caledonia in 2011. The last time the Games were here (in 2007) all the athletes were housed in schools around the town.

Pacific Games Chef De Missions meet in Apia

The Chairman of the Pacific Games Organizing Committee said he is excited to welcome the CDM envoy to Samoa and hopes that the meeting will be a fruitful and successful one.

Samoa Govt approves more accommodation for Pacific Games’ officials

The total worth of all contracts is ST$1,355,280.

A statement said the hotels were selected based on the number of Officials, location and proximity of the hotel to Games venues and Dining Hall facilities, as well as the overall suitability in the transportation plan for the Games.

2019 Pacific Games organisers confident despite hiccups

A Memorandum of Agreement was signed last month between the Samoa Government and accommodation providers in Upolu and Savai'i.

But the majority of athletes will now base themselves at the Methodist Church of Samoa's Faleula compound after officials were only able to convince 30 hotels to come on board, which will only cater for one quarter of the 4000 beds required.

Games CEO Falefata Hele Ei Matatia said competing with a busy tourism sector provided added complications.

Samoa signs host agreement with Pacific Games Council

Lakhan made the comment after signing the host agreement with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi in Apia yesterday.

“When we got the bids, Samoa ticked all the boxes and came up with flying colors,” he said.

“Samoa met all the criterias from government backing and support to the availability of international sports facilities and two experts on the ground to facilitate, manage and deliver the level of competitions. By far, I am very confident that Samoa will deliver.”

Only Samoa and Guam left in Pac Games race

The Pacific Games Council has visited Samoa and Guam in the past fortnight to evaluate their bids but said with no government support forthcoming in Tahiti their initial expression of interest cannot be evaluated further.

The President of the Tahiti Olympic Committee, Tauhiti Nena, said they tried to persuade the administration to reconsider their decision no avail.

Pacific Games Council engages solicitor for legal action against Tonga government

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.

New Caledonia would support Tahiti bid for Pacific Games

The Pacific Games Council confirmed Tonga's withdrawal from hosting the event earlier this month, and asked for expressions of interest from "experienced" hosts.

Fiji and Papua New Guinea declined to make a bid with Samoa the only country confirming its desire to stage the games.

New Caledonia also ruled itself out, having last hosted the games six years ago.

Chief executive of the territory's Olympic Committee, Michel Quintin, said whoever does take on the hosting mantle needed strong financial backing.