Pacific Mini Games

The process began last week with handpicked Central School teachers, among other selected institutions, NGOS and the general public.

Those selected will then be shortlisted and finally chosen to be placed in various functional areas to oversee the management of services to be provided during the Games.

Team Leaders will liaise with the Van2017 coordinating team in each sector to coordinate a group of volunteers in their respective service areas and fields of play.

The MOU was signed by the Minister of Health, Jerome Ludvaune, Van2017 CEO, Clint Flood and Vanuatu Police Commissioner, Albert Nalpini.

It establishes a clear understanding on the respective responsibilities of the Ministry of Health, Van2017 and the Vanuatu Police Force, in line with the Games Charter.

The MoH and Van2017 are to produce a Medical Service Plan for the Games that will look after the needs of athletes, VIPs, officials, volunteers and spectators who will be participating in the Games in December in Port Vila.

The arrangement has been sealed with the signing of an agreement between the Van2017 Organizing Committee and the association in port Vila yesterday.

The association will provide 50 buses owned by local citizens.

“Transport is number two top priority in Games service delivery, after the Games Village, said Clint Flood, Chief Executive Officer of the organising committee.

“Surveys show from any athlete in all games, the number one thing to rank is “village”, because it is their island home.”

“We need to ensure we make them feel welcome in Vanuatu and in your school as well. games village is not our number one task but it is our number one objective, and of course with your help,” stated Van2017 CEO Clint Flood.

Hagaman said she was appointed to give advice on the Tournament field and what equipment is needed for the Games as well as to run Judges and Officials workshops in Vanuatu as per Oceania Archery request.

“This is in order to improve and increase the knowledge of Archery and what is required for the Management to run the Tournament so that at the December event they have a better understanding of what is required in the game,” she said.

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.

Mr Minogue said the trip was important with less than 6 months now to go before the Games to obtain a first-hand update on progress and to ensure that all Government support is in place.

The Pacific Games Authority confirmed that the remaining funds required by Van2017 will be forwarded to the Organizing Committee in accordance within an agreed to cash flow and under special considerations drafted by the State Law Office.

Preparations are progressing well to accommodate over 2400 athletes and officials coming from 24 countries in the region including New Zealand and Australia.

No budget was allocated specifically for Game Villages, so Van2017 will be using five schools as the games villages.

These schools are Lycee, INTV, Ecole D’Anabrou, Fresh Wota and Central School.

 Although there are five schools, Van2017 is looking at them as only 3 village sites because three schools are in close proximity.

Lycee, INTV and Ecole D’Naburu will be classed as only one village.

At the request of the Vanuatu government, the Chinese government is providing 2 SUV and 25 buses that can seat 19 passengers each.

The assistance includes 15% spare parts and spare parts for vehicles provided by China previously.

Four technicians including an interpreter will also be sent to Vanuatu for 20 days to provide technical service.

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.