Samoa ready to deliver a successful Pacific Games

23 June 2018, 12:00AM

PR - Ahead of the games in 2019, the Office of the Pacific Games continues to provide updates of their preparations to ensure that Samoa and the Pacific Region are well informed of the developments in Samoa’s efforts to host the games next year. 

This week, the Office of the Pacific Games held a press conference following the conclusion of the Pacific Games Council meeting that Samoa hosted over the weekend.  

At the press conference, the Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Games office in Samoa, Falefata Hele Matatia, Director of Sports Operations, Lepale Niko Palamo and the Director of Sports Venues and Equipment shared some of the major developments Samoa is working on ahead of the games next year.

 

Sports Facilities:

The office of the Pacific Games has confirmed that Samoa will have a new multi-centre added to the list of sporting facilities at Tuanaimato.  This centre is being funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, and construction is due to start September this year.  The organizing committee confirms that the Chinese Government will also assist with renovations for some of the sporting facilities with the remaining facilities to be renovated by Samoa.

 

Sports:  

There’s going to be 26 sports in the program, 16 of which  are compulsory sports and they are:  Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Golf, Judo, Rugby 7s, Sailing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Vaa, Volleyball (indoor/beach), and Weightlifting.  The following 10, are optional sports; Archery, Badminton, Cricket, Lawn Bowls, Netball, Powerlifting, Rugby League 9s, Shooting and Squash.  

 

Games Venues:

The Director of Sports Operations, Lepale Niko Palamo confirms that there will be outdoor venues other than the two main sports venues; Apia Park and the sports venues at Tuanaimato.  This includes the Marist Stadium Lotopa, Mulinuu Bay, Shooting Range Tafaigata, St. Joseph’s College field Alafua and Mulinuu Waterfront.  These venues are subject to change with some venues still to be confirmed.

 

Organizing Committee:

These are the 14 work streams that make up the Organizing Committee and they are the team of Directors who will oversee key areas of the Games from catering, to transport and accommodation.  The Pacific Games Office Act 2018 identifies the key public servants who hold Director roles within the Organizing Committee.  It also includes members of the private sector to provide good coverage for all key areas.  The organizing committee meet every fortnight to share developments within each of these key areas.

 

The Pacific Games Organising Committee:

• Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi – Games Convenor

• Minister of Education, Loau Keneti Sio – Chairperson

• President of S.A.S..N.O.C, Fepulea’i Patrick Fepulea’i – Vice Chairperson

• Falefata Hele Matatia – Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Games Office. 

• Afamasaga Karoline Fonoti – Director of Ceremonies

• Agafili Shem Leo – Director of Government Services

• Fanene Samau Etuale Sefo – Director of Transport

• Fuiavailili Egon Keil – Director of Security

• Lavea Iulai Lavea – Director of Finance

• Leausa Dr. Take Naseri – Director of Medical Services

• Lemalu Hermann Retzlaff – Director of Legal Services

• Lepale Niko Palamo – Director of Sports Operations

• Masoe Norman Wetzell – Director of Catering

• Matatamali’i Sonja Hunter – Director of Accommodation

• Moefa’auo Salale Moananu – Director of Sports Venues and Equipment

• Su’a Fa’afouina Su’a – Director of Sponsorship

• Su’a Poumulinuku Onesemo  - Director of Athletes Village

• Tupa’i Klaus Stunzner – Director of Branding and Communications

The Pacific Games Office continues to be the key focal point for all matters relating to PG 2019.  They continue to work alongside the Directors to ensure a successful Pacific Games next year.

The 16th Pacific Games will be held in Samoa from 7th – 20th of July 2019. It is the third time the event has been hosted by Samoa, with 2007 being the most recent and 1983 the first.

23 June 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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