Vidhya Lakhan

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.  

Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (VASANOC) President Antoine Boudier said they haven’t received any feedback from Melanesian Spearhead Group headquarters in Port Villa on the adoption of the new constitution by the leaders.

“Earlier this year in March we had a consultation in New Caledonia in regard of drafting the constitution or redrafting the constitution because it was mainly politically driven and was not going in accordance with the Pacific Games Council charter or the IOC or the International Federations.

Lakhan, who is also based in Fiji, said outside of the PNG Power Dome BSP Arena, that he was so happy that since the official opening of the Pacific Games, it has been "so far so good".

"It’s been good since the official opening and I thank the people of PNG and the organizers and the Government," he said.

Team Australia and Team New Zealand also told Post-Courier briefly that the event was excellent as they can truly saw the Pacific spirit.

"We can see true sportsmanship, the Pacific spirit and the friendly spirit of our pacific leaders," the Australians said.

Lakhan expressed the PGC’s appreciation of the PNG Government and the National Capital District Commission for their contribution and support in the planning and delivery of excellent facilities for the Games.

 “The PGC is delighted to see such a large attendance at these Games by 4000 athletes and officials and we look forward to all of them being cheered on by enthusiastic crowds of Papua New Guineans,” he said.

When addressing the local and international media today, Pacific Games Council (PGC) president Vidhya Lakhan congratulated the PNG Government for its efforts.

“After visiting all the venues this week, we were surprised with the amount of work compared to our last visit in getting the games venues ready.

“All venues are ready after being tested and trialled and there are no issues.

“They’re far better than in past Games so congratulations to the PNG Government,” he said.