Team Vanuatu

Pacific Mini Games 2022

The 2022 Pacific Mini Games took place from 17-25 June, in Saipan, Northern Marianas, with the 5-day Beach Volleyball tournament taking place throughout last week.

The Vanuatu BV squad had both a Women’s and a Men’s team competing - Loti Joe and Majabelle Lawac with Stivano Banga and James Chilia.

With the Women’s team historically good performers in this 4-yearly regional event, there were expectations they would once again finish in medal contention.

VASANOC said “It has been months that VASANOC is working closely with all the national and international stakeholders in order to make this event happen. And here we are, at the final countdown with our team ready to fly.”

VASANOC is encouraging the public to gather in numbers and bid farewell to the athletes that will be representing the country.

 “Our delegation is leaving on this Thursday July 15th and they need your support!”

“So, everyone is more than welcome to come and support them at the international airport of Port-Vila at 11am.” 

Yoshua Shing, Rillio "Rio" and Hugo Cumbo will join athletes from around the world for the event.

Table tennis player Shing. who was the flag bearer in the 2016 competition is heading for his third Olympics.

Rillio "Rio" Rii has qualified in the rowing competition.

Like many other athletes, he has been preparing since last year.

Before the Olympics was cancelled in 2020, Rii left for a three month training programme in Australia.

The group, including the women’s football team, arrived in Apia on Monday and have been anxiously awaiting this opportunity.

According to their management official, William Workworkon, they were looking forward to a friendly match with Samoa on Thursday at the SIFA soccer field, to mark the occasion.

During the Games, football will be played in the first and second weeks at the JS Blatter Football Complex, Faleata. The medal matches will be played on 20 July - the final day of Samoa 2019. 

The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (MOYSD) has confirmed that Team Vanuatu is ready for the games.

“This is the first time ever that the Ministry through the Government of Vanuatu has allocated a high budget of around Vt95 Million for the Games. It is a very high commitment to make towards supporting our athletes as well as the development of Sports for Vanuatu that has never been done before,” said Johnson Toa, the Acting Director for the Department of Youth and Sports.

Team Vanuatu Head Coach, David Benjimen received the uniforms on behalf of Team Vanuatu alongside Vanuatu’s own Elite Athlete and current 60m indoor sprint record holder, Daniel Philimon.

Coach Benjimen was thrilled to receive the uniforms and thanked Digicel Vanuatu for their ongoing support and help to make things even better for Team Vanuatu.

The team which comprises of 190 athletes from boxing, archery, beach volleyball, judo, table tennis, athletics, female football, karate and taekwondo has been training four hours a day for the past three months in China.

The training comes under the Vanuatu Sport Technical Support Project.

Archery coach Francis Runa said their training is very tough.

He said they train in different stages starting from elastic training to shooting on the range of 30-50 metre.

“Vanuatu only has four athletes, two athletes out, Yoshua Shing out in table tennis against Mexico and Joe Mahit lost in judo, but for Joe first time.

“Luijj (Teilemb)came last in his heat yesterday in rowing he still has a few regattas but like I told our athletes you being here and having qualified or having being selected to come to the games its already a victory.

Athletes present were Yoshua Shing and Coach Ham Lulu, Joe Mahit and Coach Florence Daoleuang and Boe Warawara and Coach Uri Warawara. Rower Luigi Teleimb and Coach Matt Cameron were already in Rio with the Chef De Mission, Allan Kalfabun.

Also present at the ceremony yesterday was the VASANOC President, Antoine Boudier, VASANOC SG, Cyrille Mainguy, VASANOC CEO, Henry Tavoa, Chairlady of Athlete’s Commission, Anolyn Lulu, VASANOC/VAN2017 Member, Joe Bomal Carlo and Warawara’s Technical Trainer John Szigeti.  

It is headed by Chef de Mission Eileen Nangan, who said they are ready for the games and have prepared well to challenge the other Pacific Island countries.

“Like all other Pacific Island countries, we all want to go back not empty handed but with pride and happiness and Team Vanuatu will be one of the teams that will be aiming for medals during this game,” she said.

She said the advance  team are here to see for themselves the preparation and also get the feel of the atmosphere and the spirit of the games in the country.