PGC team impressed with Samoa's bid for 2019 Pacific Games

A high-level team from the Pacific Games Council has completed an evaluation visit to Samoa, which is one of three countries keen to host the 2019 Pacific Games.

The team of PGC President, Vidhya Lakhan and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Minogue met with President Patrick Fepuleai and Executive Board of Samoa’s Pacific Games Association (SASNOC) to whom the Games would be entrusted if Samoa is successful.

They also met with Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, together with the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Sport Sili Epa Tuioti and Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio respectively and the Presidents and delegates of the sports proposed for the 2019 program.

The Government has agreed to fully support and financially underwrite Samoa’s hosting of the Games.

Lakhan and Minogue also toured the proposed competition venues and schools that would accommodate the athletes.

They also met with the Attorney-General to obtain approval for the draft Host Contract, which would, in the event Samoa is successful, be signed by the PGC President, the SASNOC President and the Prime Minister;

They also had meeting with several business CEOs whose companies have a regional profile and a held full media conference at the conclusion of the visit.

The PGC delegation said it is very impressed with all of the elements of the evaluation visit, including the sporting facilities which have been well maintained since Samoa’s hosting of the 2007 South Pacific Games and 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games, and now only require a minimal level of refurbishment to be ready to host the Pacific Games in 2019. 

These relatively recent major Games also mean that Samoa’s sports federations have the degree of competence and experience necessary to deliver a large scale event like the 2019 Pacific Games in a short space of time. 

Lakhan said Samoa has presented a very strong expression of interest to host the 2019 Pacific Games and has demonstrated during their visit that they have the facilities and capability required to deliver a successful Games in a short space of time.

“The full and financial support of the Samoan Government adds the vital component of stability and certainty that the PGC is seeking in the wake of the Tongan Government’s withdrawal as Games host”.

From there, the President and CEO will travel to Port Vila for a meeting of the Chefs de Mission for this December’s Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu, before the 2019 evaluation process resumes next week to consider expressions of interest from Guam and Tahiti. 

The PGC Executive Board said it remains committed to completing the evaluation process this month and announcing the 2019 Pacific Games host at the start of September.

 

 

Photo file. Caption: President of the Pacific Games Council, Vidhya Lakhan

     

Author: 
Charles Kadamana