Vanuatu has named a 158-strong contingent to compete in the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa next month.
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.
Mr Toa has confirmed the budget will be used for games attendance by Team Vanuatu (Participating fee), preparation of teams before the games and rewards/ incentives for athletes winning medals at the games.
Funds will also be used for the ambassadors programme and formal function hosted by the Minister of Youth and Sports at the Games in Samoa.
“We have allocated Vt16 million for National Federation for their training budget; Vt6 million for Uniforms, Vt3 million for Official Function for Samoa, Vt12 million for the Plane Charter, Vt17 million for Participating Games fee for Team Vanuatu for the Games; Vt5 million for Athletes, Coaches and Official DSA’s and around Vt30,900,000 million for Medals Winning Incentives and others,” Toa said.
A total of 158 athletes will be attending the Games with coaches and officials.
“Athletes, coaches and officials will also be receiving allowances while on their stay in Samoa. We are also preparing to have a Team Vanuatu uniform and an Athletes profile booklet for this Games,” Mr Toa added.
An Air Vanuatu flight has been chartered to fly the team directly from Port Vila to Apia, Samoa.
Team Vanuatu will be participating in 15 sports discipline including Para Sports.
The sports disciplines are Soccer (Men/Women); Beach Volleyball (Men/Women), Tennis, Table Tennis, 3x3 Basketball (men/women); Athletics, Cricket, Golf, Judo, Weightlifting, Sailing, Swimming, Boxing, Archery, Taekwondo and Para Sports.
Photo supplied Caption: Vanuatu MOYSD staff preparing for Samoa 2019 Pacific Games.