2023 Pacific Games

They were deployed one month prior to the games to join forces with the Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island countries to ensure the game is conducted safely. 

Speaking during a press conference in Honiara recently, the Contingent Commander for the 17th Pacific Games, John Sagom said the RPNGC is set and ready to assist the Solomon Islands Police Force to mitigate any uprising crime that may occur during the games.

In the first match up, Tahiti beat Samoa 2019 Pacific Games silver medallists American Samoa 3-1.

In the afternoon’s next clash, PNG and Solomon Islands played out a thrilling five-set encounter with PNG edging the home side 3 sets to 2. PNG won the first two sets 25-18, 25-12 before Solomon Islands came back strongly to avoid a white wash to win the next two 25-18, 25-19. PNG held on to win 15-12 in the fifth set.

The Pacific Games champions aim for another impressive performance at this year’s Pacific Games, seeking to repeat their first-place finish on the medal tally of the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa.

“We expect our athletes to achieve success in this year’s event and continue our legacy from the past Pacific Games in Samoa, where we secured 182 medals and emerged victorious,” said Team New Caledonia Chef De Mission, Michel Quintin at a brief welcome ceremony at the Henderson airport in Honiara today.

The PNG 7s teams will be joining the rest of the PNG athletes with positive energies after qualifying for the Challengers Series.

The PNG Rugby Union President Paul Siwi said that team PNG got the baptism of fire in the Oceania Rugby 7s finals as they fell short to the top tier 7s teams. However, this does not mean PNG Rugby can deliver a medal for its country at the 17 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.

PNG will be looking for another impressive showing at this year’s Pacific Games after their second-place finish on the medal tally of the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa.

The team of seven consisted of Team General Manager Anzilla Miro and leads of respective functional areas; Christabella Amona (administration), Adam Parka (Operations), Dr. Kapua Kapua (Chief Medical Officer), Matthew Natusch (Physio), Desmond Kaviagu (Performance) and Andrew Molen (Media).

Miro said PNG will be sending a large number of athletes for the games.

The duo will lead the team into the National Stadium on 19th November at the opening ceremony of the Games.

The PNG Olympic Committee made the announcement on Friday, 10th November in Port Moresby during the Team PNG farewell ceremony.

“We are blessed to have such a wide and diverse set of athletes, ranging in experience from those seasoned Games veterans to our new and next generation’s Team PNG athletes,” said Sir John Dawanincura, President of the PNG Olympic Committee.

Prime Minister James Marape announced that the government will be supporting the team with K8.5 million to send the team to the Solomon Islands this month. Marape made the announcement during Team PNG’s farewell event at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex on Friday 10^th November.

When this support comes through, it will see a full team of 514 athletes and officials line up against the rest of the Pacific in 20 of the 24 sports that are on offer.

The PNG Olympic Committee board in its meeting of 08 November resolved to extend the payment deadline to tomorrow Friday 10 November 

The National Federations (sports) must pay the mandated K2,000 levy per athlete and official for the upcoming Pacific Games. 

PNGOC as of this morning contacted each of the sports yet to pay in full and urged them to meet their obligations to their athletes. This is the fourth and final deadline for payment, the first being May 2023. 

The launching was held at Jack’s of PNG, Waigani Central retail outlet, on October 25, 2023, ahead of the Pacific Games which is 24 days away.

The supporting merchandise contributes to the advancement of sports in Papua New Guinea. By wearing the merchandise, not only do the supporters spread awareness of Team PNG participating at the 2023 Pacific Games, but also foster a sense of unity and pride for the national team.