Pacific Games Council

'We don't make the rules': Pacific transgender athletes can only compete at Sol2023 if governing bodies allow

On 24 March, World Athletics announced new regulations that would completely bar transgender male-to-female athletes from participating in its competitions.

The governing body also announced stricter restrictions on athletes with DSD which is expected to impact champion Olympic athletes.

"Our position is quite simple," council president Vidya Lakhan told RNZ Pacific.

"So, we are always guided by the respective international federations.

Games Council expects Pacific Games venues to be ready on time

President Vidya Lakhan and Chief executive Officer Andrew Minogue visited Honiara last week to assess preparations for the 17th Pacific Games.

RNZ Pacific reports the delegation visited several of the Games venues, including the main Sports City precinct and the accommodation construction site at the Solomon Islands National University.

They were briefed on the status of works on the main road into the city, the near completion of the new international airport terminal, and the recent "Safe and Green Games" launch.

Australia, NZ voted onto Pacific Games Council

The Trans Tasman neighbours were first invited to compete in four sports at the 2015 Games in Papua New Guinea, with that number doubling to eight sports for the current Games in Samoa.

But the CEO of the Pacific Games Council, Andrew Minogue said under that arrangement both countries, who also took a limited part in the 2017 Mini Games, had no standing at all in the Council framework and constitution.

"What we did today was we formally admitted both Olympic Committees as associate members of the Council, so they now have a much easier pathway to competing. "

Pacific Games Council backs accommodation plans in Samoa

The original plan was for athletes to be housed in hotels but a lack of providers forced organisers to approach the Methodist Church of Samoa, who agreed to have the athletes stay at their Faleula compound.

Pacific Games Council CEO Andrew Minogue believes the change of plan is a blessing in disguise.

"It's a big advantage actually to have all of the athletes in one place, like we had in Port Moresby (four years ago) and in New Caledonia in 2011. The last time the Games were here (in 2007) all the athletes were housed in schools around the town.

Pacific Games Council provides updates on finances and Tonga Government dispute

The organisation also provided updates regarding their finances and ongoing civil action against the Tongan Government.

The General Assembly meeting in Samoa saw several presentations from former and upcoming Organising Committees of the Pacific Games and Pacific Mini Games.

The PGC reported a strong financial year for 2017, with income of $460,846 (£347,000/€396,000) having been achieved, rising from the $237,175 (£178,000/€204,000) received in 2016.

This was largely due to all payments from the Vanuatu 2017 Pacific Mini Games being made during the year.

Tonga sued for millions of dollars because of Games withdrawal

The government pulled out of their hosting agreement last year, citing financial difficulties.

The Supreme Court has issued a Summons of Writ which the government has 28 days from issuance, (May 15), to answer.

The Games Council CEO Andrew Minogue said the body was seeking damages for the losses that it suffered as a result of the unilateral decision to withdraw without consultation.

TASANOC is seeking the same.

Mr Minogue said the claim was for three parts of the damages that were being sought as far as the council was concerned.

Pacific Games Council to begin legal action against Tonga next year

 

Tahiti is suspended after they boycotted the Vanuatu Mini Games over disagreements on who should represent them in boxing.

Pacific Games Council CEO Andrew Minogue say both decisions reflect the council's mandate for autonomy in sports without political interference.

"We'll go through a process with them in the early part of next year hopefully, to try and reach some agreements around the respective independence and autonomy of the sporting body.

Samoa now has the hosting rights for the 2019 Pacific Games.

 

Tahiti suspended from the Pacific Games Council

The suspension was unanimously agreed by the Pacific Games Council's General Assembly during a meeting in Port Vila yesterday.

In a statement, the Council said French Polynesia's government had interfered in the autonomy and independence of sporting associations, which culminated in its decision to boycott the 2017 Mini Games in Vanuatu.

Lakhan hopes Aust & NZ will soon become full members of PGC

“I hope that this is the last time Australia and New Zealand will participate in our games as our guests.

“Within the next 12 to 18 months we hope to make the necessary changes to our Constitution which will allow them membership to the Council,” said PGC president Vidya Lakhan.

Australia and New Zealand were first invited as guest and competed in four sports at the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Here at the Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu the Trans-Tasman neighbours were invited for two sports, rugby 7s and weightlifting.

Pacific Games Council gives Mini Games the thumbs up

Council President Vidhya Lakhan and CEO Andrew Minogue attended a joint meeting of the Van2017 Pacific Mini Games Authority, chaired by the Minister of Sport, Seule Simeon, and the Games Organising Committee, where the final Games delivery plans and arrangements were approved.

Mr Lakhan also received a briefing from Van2017 CEO Clint Flood.

He was very pleased with the state of preparations and said all stakeholders have worked together to deliver the sporting venues and operational plans on schedule.