Pacific Games

Torch Relay Coordinator, Tafaese Spencer Tautu from the Ministry of Education Sports (MESC), believes there is great significance in the torch as Samoa prepares to host the Games.

“There is power in the torch that can mend bridges and bring different villages to ignite under the slogan of the Games and that is ‘one in spirit,’ he said. “I never imagined this would be the response of the people. This is the first time the Head of State has received the torch baton twice, first at his home at Falelatai and, again, yesterday at his residence in Vailele.”

Toea Wisil recently went viral with her Facebook post when she called out APNG and president Tony Green for intimidating athletes into submission as well as feeding them biscuits, especially during the Oceania Championships held in Cairns (June 24-28) in a post titled “Not Keeping it Quiet”.

“Athletes been eating Snax biscuits for breakfast and lunch before coming to Oceania and hungry while here. I am putting it out for the people to know what is going on in our sports.”

Speaking to the female sports journalist participants, Nynette Sass took the advantage to discuss any queries about the regional event.

“Samoa is ready to host the games and we are on to the final stages of preparing every place reserved for the games and we are glad to hosting this year’s Pacific Games,” Sass said.

She also highlighted the importance of women’s participation in any aspects of the Games.

Team Samoa Chef de Mission, Nynette Sass says athletes will check out from their place of accommodation after completing their events.

“The first wave of athletes checking in and it depends on the sports schedule for first week and second week. So those competing in the first week will come in and check in and do the competition and then check out and then next wave comes in.”

“So in that way we don’t get to overload the system too much,” she said.

To have the students carry the baton brought the communities together in unison, manifesting the slogan of the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games, “one in spirit.” 

The Savai'i leg of the relay will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday before coming to Upolu.

People of all ages flooded the streets as the torch baton for the Games made its way through and the event was live-streamed on Facebook.

Speaking at the ceremony yesterday Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Malielegaoi thanked China saying the building of the Multi-Sport Centre aligns with the government's vision to grow Faleata as the sports hub of Samoa and the Pacific region.

The Multi-Sport Centre consists of two state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor netball courts built to international specifications. It also has the capacity to host badminton, basketball, table tennis, boxing and other indoor sports.

Titan FX is a technology-driven financial securities dealer, based in Port Vila, working in foreign exchange and commodities, which is keen to support the growth and development of Vanuatu’s leading sports team as it competes on the international stage.

Managing Director Audrius Bernotas believes this partnership is a reflection of the company’s vision as a part of the Vanuatu community.

 “Every employee of Titan FX, expat or local, loves Vanuatu and wants to promote it globally,” he said

About 1,000 volunteers spent five hours around town and at rivers collecting all types of rubbish that was later sorted and collated.

The collected rubbish came from Vaisigano, Loimata o Apaula, Gasegase and Fuluasou, as well as Apia town centre.

Items sorted included:

Duthu has been working on giving the players a lot of exposure to gain experience.

“I’m very positive after that competition. Despite the loss against Samoa for the girls, we have improved in our game compared to last year. We did come to claim the qualification, but also to gain experience and to test our players. It was not easy for some of them, as it was their first time with the National Team, but they did great both on and off the court.”

Technical Delegate Amanda Jenkins says the venue and team preparations are on track.

"It's exciting this is the time first we have qualifying pathways for this event. Any team who underestimates their opponent will be the ones who will not progress."

Jenkins is certain basketball teams from the Oceania region will be putting on their best performances to win a spot in the FIBA Asia Cup Pre-Qualifiers.