2019 Pacific Games

PNG finished second at the recent Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu winning 33 gold medals, 30 silver and 22 bronze - 85 in total.

He said other sports need to evaluate what they need to do to repeat the 2015 winning performance of the Pacific Games on home soil.

Raminai vowed he would do his utmost best within his capacity to assist these sports improve to ensure PNG dominates again in 2019.

Lakhan made the comment after signing the host agreement with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi in Apia yesterday.

“When we got the bids, Samoa ticked all the boxes and came up with flying colors,” he said.

“Samoa met all the criterias from government backing and support to the availability of international sports facilities and two experts on the ground to facilitate, manage and deliver the level of competitions. By far, I am very confident that Samoa will deliver.”

Executive Director of Pacific Games Council, Andrew Minogue said they have engaged a local solicitor to proceed with the legal action.

After Tonga withdrew, the only country that has expressed their interest to host the game is Samoa while New Caledonia will support Tahiti to host the game.

Prime Minister of Samoa Tuilaepa Sailele Malielagaoi has already indicated his government’s willingness to support the bid for Samoa to host the Games.

But Minogue said the decision will be made after July 31.

The Pacific Games Council confirmed Tonga's withdrawal from hosting the event earlier this month, and asked for expressions of interest from "experienced" hosts.

Fiji and Papua New Guinea declined to make a bid with Samoa the only country confirming its desire to stage the games.

New Caledonia also ruled itself out, having last hosted the games six years ago.

Chief executive of the territory's Olympic Committee, Michel Quintin, said whoever does take on the hosting mantle needed strong financial backing.

This is after the Games Council confirmed Tonga's withdrawal earlier this month, and asked for expressions of interest from "experienced" hosts.

Fiji and Papua New Guinea have already declined to make a bid with Samoa the only country confirming their desire to stage the Games.

Guam said it would only consider stepping forward if there were no other contenders.

Noumea has hosted the Pacific Games three times - the last occasion being six years ago and the CEO of the Territory's Olympic Committee, Michel Quintin said 2019 was not a good time for them.

Kaniva News reports that ‘Aisake Eke, who was sacked as Minister of Finance in March after abstaining in a vote of no-confidence in Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pōhiva, told a meeting of the Tonga Sports Association and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC) the funds were all specifically aimed to support preparations for the Games in two years’ time.

Council President Vidhya Lakhan confirmed to Fiji’s Legend FM Sports there has been no notification from the Tongan government about withdrawing.

He says officially Tonga is still hosting the event.

Reports say Tonga has reviewed hosting the games following an analysis of the impact of hosting the event would have on the economy.

Tonga is reportedly processing its withdrawal documents to be submitted to the 2019 Pacific Games Council.

It would require a budget support of around 33 million US dollars by donor partners to host the event.

Nest as he is called, will return from a spell because of injuries to his knee and a recent hamstring to his right leg.

 In an exclusive with Loop PNG, Stone said he is currently under High Performance Sports Rehabilitation program under great care of Simon Morris and he is getting better and is preparing ahead for the upcoming events.

“I would like to go all the way to 2019 in for the Tong Pacific Games and win the 400m for the third time and go down as first person to win the 400m sprint three times.

A PNG delegation visited Nuku'alofa in February to assess the local facilities and indicated a willingness to help refurbish Teufaiva National Stadium.

However last month Tonga's Games Organising Committee CEO, Feleti Sevele, said that work was yet to begin and uncertainty remained.

But PNG Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko said they had not forgotten about Tonga.

A statement from the PM’s Office said it also reflected the overall level of readiness of the Kingdom of Tonga as a whole, including the Sporting Federations and the Athletes, to host the Pacific Games 2019.

The Government said Tonga would like to reaffirm its commitment to host the Pacific Games 2019.

Accordingly, the Government will continue to strengthen and double the effort that has already been in operation, within the resources available.