Pacific Games

Pacific Games urged to include more qualifying events to boost interest

A Commonwealth Games Qualifier for beach volleyball was played prior to the Mini Games in Vanuatu earlier this month, ensuring a strong field was in attendance in Port Vila.

Meanwhile the rugby sevens competition also had a World Cup qualifying spot up for grabs.

Van2017 CEO Clint Flood said further qualifying opportunities will lead to more interest at future Games.

"We would have liked to have a few more teams in football - it would have been great to have PNG here and the other teams," he said.

West Papua could compete in future Pacific Games

The PGC’s Forum held after its annual general meeting in Port Vila, Vanuatu this week was to hear members on several key topics such as associate membership, bid process and management structure

The other names that were floated in general discussion that could be invited to become members of the regional games were Christmas Island, Bougainville, Easter Islands and Hawaii apart from Australia and New Zealand.

These countries could in future become associate members with certain voting rights.

Aus, NZ will make Pacific Games stronger - PGC

The Trans-Tasman neighbours were invited to take part in four sports at the 2015 Games in Port Moresby, increasing to eight for the 2019 edition in Samoa.

Australia and New Zealand make their Mini Games debut in Port Vila this week in weightlifting, having declined to enter teams in rugby sevens.

The President of the Pacific Games Council, Vidhya Lakhan, said the participation of Australia and New Zealand would ensure the event is recognised around the world.

"Most of the continents have their own Continental Games," Lakhan said.

Solomons leader in Port Vila to chase Games votes

According to RNZI, the Solomons delegation includes the provincial government minister, David Tome, and the opposition leader, Jeremiah Manele.

The bid will seek votes from the 22 member countries on the Pacific Games Council.

Solomon Islands is up against French Polynesia, which lost the 2019 rights to Tonga.

XVth Pacific Games Organising Committee closes office

Chief Executive Officer of GOC, Peter Stewart thanked everyone who had contributed to the success of the XVth Pacific Games.

Since the Closing Ceremony, GOC has paid off all its contractors and suppliers and prepared the financials for auditing by Deloitte. It has handed over all sports and office equipment to the National Sports Foundation and the PNG Olympic Committee as part of the legacy plan.

Second personal best, just as predicted by Furgeson

Those are the words of a self-assured individual less than twenty-four hours prior to her Women’s 100m Freestyle race.

The race Colleen Furgeson was referring to was during the recent Pacific Games in Port Moresby, in which she recorded a time of 1 minute 06.19 seconds, which she deemed unsatisfactory. The Kwajalein born athlete relished another chance in the pool only a few weeks after her last attempt.

Her final race in the 16th FINA World Championships, in Kazan, gave her this opportunity.

Second personal best, just as predicted by Furgeson

Those are the words of a self-assured individual less than twenty-four hours prior to her Women’s 100m Freestyle race.

The race Colleen Furgeson was referring to was during the recent Pacific Games in Port Moresby, in which she recorded a time of 1 minute 06.19 seconds, which she deemed unsatisfactory. The Kwajalein born athlete relished another chance in the pool only a few weeks after her last attempt.

Her final race in the 16th FINA World Championships, in Kazan, gave her this opportunity.

Tonga Govt says committed to running Games

In a statement he says there has been confusion and doubt as to whether Tonga would go ahead with the event.

But the prime minister says while it is the utmost challenge for the government it will do its best to seek financial assistance from its donor and development partners.

Mr Pohiva says the government is convinced of the benefits of hosting the games, not only in upgrading venues but the benefits to the economy.

Doubts over Tonga hosting the Pacific Games in 2019

This was raised at a meeting in the village of Houma attended by Tongatapu Constituency 6 People’s Representative and Minister of Public Enterprise, Poasi Tei.

At the meeting, Viliami Halatoa of Houma said Tonga was not ready to host the 2019 Pacific Games.

In response, the Minister said Government supports the hosting of the Games and has set aside TOP$1 million to the Ministry of Sports to establish a sports academy in preparation for the Games in four years’ time.

ONOC believes Agenda 2020 will help future Games organisers

Dr Mitchell, an IOC member himself says the recently approved Agenda 2020 has been adopted by 2020 Olympic Games hosts Japan.  

“I was recently in Tokyo for the Coordination Committee meeting and Tokyo has very quickly taken on board the recommendations of the IOC which resulted in them saving 1.3 billion dollars already in venue preparation.”