Pacific Mini Games

Van2017 CEO Clint Flood said a number of key roles still need to be filled to help them deliver the Games on schedule.

The Games website lists vacancies for a Client Relations Supervisor, Sports Competition Supervisor and an Operations Assistant.

It also says there are a variety of roles on offer locally in program/project management and support, operations, media, communications, sports, graphic design and technology.

Clint Flood said recruitment was proving a challenge.

Members of the Organising Committee provided an update on their progress for the multi-sport event here today, as preparations continue for the Games in December.

Clint Flood, Vanuatu 2017 chief executive, stated that 1,101 male and 731 female athletes are currently registered to take part across 13 sports.

A further 498 team officials are also earmarked to attend, while participation could be further increased as Australia and New Zealand are now expected to compete in weightlifting.

Seule says the government is happy with the ongoing collaboration with the Pacific Games Council, VASANOC and the Van2017 Organising Committee, in the preparation process.

He was speaking during the Van2017 presentation at the ONOC Annual General Assembly at the Sofitel Resort and Spa in Denarau, Fiji Islands on Friday 31 March.

After a team introduction, Champions Program coordinator, Wilfred Koran, made a presentation to the Heads of Schools and their Zone Curriculum Advisor on the content of the Champions Program and what the schools will expect if they are being visited by NASI.

During his presentation, Mr. Koran informed teachers that as part of the program and its legacy in schools, teaching materials on environment, custom & culture, health & sports will be produced to assist teachers with their available teaching resources.

The training was organised by Vanuatu Karate Federation with the support of Van2017.

“This is a first as each time a Karate competition is organized referees have to come from other countries such as New Caledonia or Fiji to run the bouts as we do not have certified referees in Vanuatu,” said Jack Manuel, Sport Competition Manager (SCM) for the Vanuatu Karate Federation.

“However, thanks to the Van2017 and the Vanuatu Karate Federation, the 18th March, training is a step closer to the realization of a long time dream of all Karate lovers and practitioners.”

It will help ensure that Ni Vanuatu Athletes and Athletes from all neighboring Pacific countries have the platform to showcase their sporting talents to the rest of the world. Digicel believes that it is time for Vanuatu to promote its athletes and shine by its beauty and its natural warm welcoming.

Yaser Maher, Digicel Vanuatu CEO, said “Those 12 days will leave a long term legacy in Vanuatu thanks to the development of the facilities, the awareness created about Vanuatu not only as a sporting nation but also as a perfect tourism destination”.

 The agreement has been signed by Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai and the Chinese Ambassador to Vanuatu, Mr. Liu Quan.

The agreement also allows for Chinese professional athletic coaches to do the final training in Vanuatu just before the Games, which are scheduled to take place in December 2017.

The agreement is part of the overall Games project which is being funded and built by China.

Photo: RNZI Hilaire Bule

RNZ reports Clint Flood, visited Port Vila in May after being asked by the Pacific Games Council to help with the organisation of the 2017 Mini Games.

The former Executive Operations Manager for the 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea was then appointed CEO in July after Joe Carlo was forced to step down because of health matters.

Carlo, who led the successful bid team that won hosting rights for the Games in Port Vila, died earlier this month.

Two weeks ago, VASANOC said it would ask the Council to withdraw the 2017 Games from Vanuatu if urgent action by the Government was not taken to release promised funding.

According to RNZI, the President of the Pacific Games Council, Vidhya Lakhan, said all parties are now on the same page.

Taem we hemi givim tok tok blong hem long tede moning, Mr Salwai I talem se hemi glad tumas blong hemi save tekem pat long graon breking seremoni ia blong mekem wok blong stanemap wan niu complex I save kirap blong Vanuatu, hemi save hostem 2017 South Pacific Mini Games mo ol nara sporting ivents long taem we istap kam.