Pacific Games 2019

Fiji women claim inaugural title

Fiji claimed the historic inaugural title on Tuesday evening, while Cook Islands beat Samoa 24-10 to collect bronze.

The gold medal match was a tight affair and remained scoreless for much of the first half before Fiji’s Timaima Ravisa scored a breakaway try to give her side a 4-0 lead at the break.

PNG to defend weightlifting standing

The Youth and Junior Oceania and Commonwealth Championships will also be held in conjunction with the Samoa 2019 competition.

Last time at the Port Moresby 2015 XVI Pacific Games, weightlifting was hotly contested. PNG topped the medal table with 13 golds and a total of 21, closely followed by Samoa with 12 golds and a higher overall total of 23 medals. Australia claimed 29 medals in total, but only 6 golds.

Samoa, PNG and Australia will again be among the teams to watch at Samoa 2019.

Food is the fuel for athletes, officials and volunteers

There are different local caterers assigned to every venue’s dining halls, including on Savai’i, where Boxing will take place, with test runs of all their menus in preparation when the Games open on Sunday 7 July.

“There are caterers specifically for athletes and Technical Officialsand others for volunteersandVIPs,” said Analosa Manuele, Catering Coordinator of the Pacific Games Office.

“For the Pacific Games, we are working together with the caterers to make sure that the meals provided are hot, fresh, nutritious and safe for consumption.

Over 300 PNG athletes ready for battle

Chef de Mission, Emma Waiwai, says these athletes are primed, fit and ready to battle it out with the best of the best.

“Four years have seen our athletes sacrifice their comfort zones and their family time to prepare for these games,” Waiwai said at the Team PNG farewell function yesterday evening in Port Moresby.

“Each athlete going is the best for each sport.

Team PNG sends advance party to Samoa

Team PNG officials currently in Samoa visited the competition venues yesterday to gauge the challenges athletes should be aware of before their competition starts.

Chief Medical Officer for Team PNG, Dr. Kapua Kapua, trainer Kila Mala, Performance Coach Chris Amini and physiotherapist, Mathew Natusch, visited the main stadium which will host the rugby sevens, nines and athletics. They also went to other outdoor venues including cricket, tennis, golf, beach volleyball, touch and archery.

Maino to co-captain PNG women’s soccer team

“To me to be given the co-captains role alongside Deslyn and Sandra is a big achievement for me,” she said.  

“I am so proud to fly my country’s flag at the Pacific Games and being given the co-captaincy role was something I never expected.

“There were few other senior players in the squad and leading the team ahead of them is challenging for me.”

The Mekeo lass said she has received a lot of support from teammates and officials.

Solomons working on Games participation

In their preparations for the event from 7-20 July in Samoa, the team is aiming to participate in as many of the 27 sports as it can.

"For starters, as the next host nation, we are doing our best in getting involved with all the 27 sports in the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games. We don’t have shooting due to gun control back home, badminton, squash, lawn bowls and cricket, but all the other sports we are involved with," said Michael Chan, Chef De Mission of the Solomon Islands.

Digicel Samoa named the official sponsor of the 2019 Pacific Games

The announcement was made by the Games Organising Committee Chairman, Minister Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio with Farid Mohammed Chief Executive Officer of Digicel Samoa.

“We are honoured to have Digicel Samoa on board as the official sponsor for next year’s games.”

“Digicel’s sponsorship will provide significant support in our efforts to host a remarkable and memorable Pacific Games event.”

The official sponsorship package is valued at $3 Million Tala.

Samoa 2019 vow Pacific Games will leave strong legacy as organisers host venue tour

Matatia declared the Organising Committee's vision when providing a progress report at the Pacific Games Council (PGC) General Assembly here.

It was the first chance for Pacific Games Associations (PGA) to receive a full run down of Samoa 2019's plans and vision for the event.

Samoa were awarded the 2019 Pacific Games in December as a replacement for Tonga.

It followed Tonga's Government withdrawing from hosting due to financial concerns.

2019 Pacific Games in Samoa on track

Samoa was awarded the games in September last year after Tonga pulled out, saying it could not afford to host them.

The Pacific Games Council held hold its Annual General Meeting in Apia this weekend, where members received an update on how Samoa is progressing.

Chief Executive of the Pacific Games Office, Falefata Hele Matatia, says the country is ecstatic to be hosting the Games and has met every deadline required of them.