Van2017

“As an organizing committee we are very confident in the job being done by the contractor of the project CCECC, and that the support of the Government of Vanuatu by the People’s Republic of China is fantastic,” said CEO of Van2017, Mr Clint Flood.

Mr Flood said that for both, in terms of the legacy of the facilities and the athletes, the Government of People’s Republic of China is second to none and with their help, he is confident the athletes and facilities in Vanuatu will be ready to take on the Pacific in less than 150 days.

Construction of the new buildings commenced in June 2016 by Chinese company CCECC that is contracted by the Vanuatu Government.

The newly built complex features 2  buildings - a main gymnasium and  small gymnasium with a combined seating capacity of 1400 seats  to cater for  indoor disciplines such as Judo, Karate, Weightlifting, Table Tennis, Netball - and outdoor facilities to cater for sports such as , Tennis, , Beach Volleyball, Athletics, Football, Rugby Sevens and  Archery.

Van2017 took this opportunity to raise awareness about the Pacific Mini Games and all the services to be provided to Games Venues, and Games Villages.

“Volunteering” program attracted a number of students, youths and individuals who passed by and application forms were given out rapidly.

Van2017 wants to reach out to all groups of people, and share with them the excitement, the fun, the joy, and most importantly the pride that the Games will bring to the people as a Ni Vanuatu.

“Van2017 is all about Togetherness for the betterment of our Nation,” said Richard Kekuki.

“I joined the Van2017 Organising Committee because I believe that if we work together as a Team, as a Community and as a Nation, we can achieve great things. And I want to be part of that, to be part of history, and to contribute my skills and knowledge to helping my country.”

Nasi, the loveable Van2017 mascot, and SAGOA will never be forgotten and will always be in children’s mind when it comes to hearing and talking about the 2017 Pacific Mini Games.

For 14 days, children around communities in Luganville and in rural areas of Sanma, were fortunate to see and touch the big mascot bird Nasi and the Sagoa.

Touring over 40 schools in the Northern Province, the Mascot Team delivered essential key messages on better healthy lifestyles, clean environment, better education, and how to become a Champion in their own lives.

Sponsors of the Van2017 Pacific Mini Games set history yesterday, when they were engaged to plant Sandalwood Trees, under the “Medals for the Environment Program’’.

“Committed to the communities in which it is developing its operations, Pacific Energy is proud to be the Ambassador of the Medals for the Environment program, and to be part of the Legacy Tree Planting,” said Nicolas Leflon, the General Manager of Pacific Energy in Vanuatu.

“That’s why we’re committed to an Environmental Legacy Plan, the ability to use the Games as a catalyst of environmental change, by taking some small steps forward, because environmental sustainability is everyone’s business.”

There are a few major components to the Games Environment Plan; reducing /eliminating single-use plastic bags, no polystyrene or Styrofoam, composting food waste, use of biodegradable product, use  of eco-friendly cleaning products and planting of  trees to offset carbon emissions.

Under the MOU signed between the Ministry of Education and Van2017 Pacific Mini Games, the ministry will assist the Van2017 outreach program, which is called the “Champions Program” targeting primary schools around the country.

The Champions Program driven by the Mascot of the Games, Nasi the Nasiviru, the loveable bird and friend of children, will be delivered through a 25-week programme with the distribution of 30,000 booklets and dice, posters and lessons plans to school children in over 400 primary schools across the six Provinces.

The Athletics Technical Team is comprised of President of Oceania Athletics Federation - OAF Yvonne Mullins and the Competition Manager, Thomas O’Shaughnessy.

They were appointed by the International Athletics Federation to carry out the mission in Vanuatu for the 2017 Pacific Mini Games.