2017 Pacific Mini Games

Van2017 mini games wrap up

Chef de Mission, Emma Waiwai, led the 135 strong Team PNG contingent where they competed in 10 of the 14 sports.

Team PNG finished with 33 gold, 31 silver and 24 bronze to rank second behind New Caledonia, but had won the most medals at the Pacific Mini Games.

Weightlifting brought home 14 gold medals, athletics brought in 17 gold with beach volleyball men and netball the other two sports contributing to the gold medal tally.

Mini games features dual national athletes

It is a discipline that celebrates the strength and athleticism of women in sport.

While PNG Pepes won the gold medal at the VAN2017 Games, netball featured two dual national athletes from Vanuatu.

Meriel Kenni and Selina Solman are both Vanuatu national cricketers who made their debut in the national netball team, making them two of the few athletes from Vanuatu who are dual-national sport representatives.

SI proved to be a force

It has taken the Pacific Island nation more than three decades to win a single medal at an international event.

The VAN2017 Pacific Games was special as Solomon Islands defeated hosts Vanuatu in the bronze medal play off finishing third in the netball race.

(Solomon Islands netball team captain, Judith Malauwi)

Updated mini games tally

NCL had 45 gold medals under her belt whilst PNG raked in 33.

Fiji ranked third with 23 gold medals, followed closely by host nation Vanuatu with 22 while Samoa brings up the rear with 20.

Updated mini games tally

NCL has 47 gold medals under her belt, PNG has 33, Fiji on third spot with 23, Samoa with 18 and host nation Vanuatu brings up the rear with 17.

The games started on December 4 and will officially close today (Dec 15).

PNG goes down in thrilling encounters

After four gruelling days of competition, the 3x3 basketball reached the medal matches.

The excitement didn’t stop there. After dominant performances against their semi-final opponents, Cook Islands and PNG were ready to battle it out for the women’s gold.

The PNG women’s team was filled with players possessing 5 on 5 experience but the Cook Islands boast multiple players with world level 3 by 3 experience.

PNG Pepes take out gold

Pepes’ young side were pushed to the edge by a very physical Tongan netball side.

The gold medal play off in the netball finals at the VAN2017 Pacific Mini Games was between PNG and Tonga – both teams undefeated.

Tonga took on Solomon Islands in their first encounter while PNG took on Vanuatu…this time though, the two nations came out with all guns blazing.

Tonga had the bigger and taller players, causing PNG to trail in the opening quarter 17 goals to 12.

Updated mini games tally

Significant changes can be noted as PNG strives to close the gap with current leader, New Caledonia.

NCL leads with 43 gold medals, PNG comes after with 31 followed by Fiji at 22 gold medals.

More updates to follow.

Mixed results for PNG track team

The men took out gold in the 4x400 metre relay while the women settled for bronze.

The day out at the tracks on the second last day at the VAN2017 Pacific Mini Games began on a disappointing note with a heavy downpour in Port Vila.

The 200 metre finals for the men and women had to be pushed back to 4pm, which caused great inconvenience for the PNG athletics team.

The decision to save Toea Wisil and Afura Adah for the 200m proved costly as PNG came in number three in the 4x100m finals, taking bronze.

Updated mini games tally

Whilst New Caledonia is still in the lead with 41 gold medals, PNG has scored another gold medal whilst Fiji scooped two.

More updates to follow.