Vanuatu

Hosts Malampa Revivors were the first to get on top when they shocked Erakor 3-2 at Luganville Stadium, Santo on 28 January.

The visitors were almost able to snatch a draw after being awarded a penalty kick but captain Brian Kaltack missed his opportunity, allowing Malampa to claim the victory.

The two sides met again at Luganville Stadium on 30 January, but this time the Port Vila Premier League champions made the most of their opportunities to reverse the previous match’s score and secure a 3-2 win.

This is not a good result for the former Vanuatu club champion as they ended the match with only 10 players after their midfielder, Namuli Namatak was sent off by referee Alick Lukai.

Tony Kaltack who missed EraKor’s trip to Santo last weekend, hit two goals in 31 and 33 minutes and there were two more goals from substitute Tonly Kalotang in 82 and 89 minutes.

One goal each from Brian Kaltack in 18 minutes, Kersom Kalsong in 63 minutes, and Jean Kaltack in 86 minutes sealed the win.

RNZ reports Chairman of the Torba Tourism Council Father Luc Dini said the body adopted a resolution to go organic and told operators to stop serving imported food.

Father Dini said there would be health benefits and tourists may be encouraged when they hear only local produce and fish is consumed there.

He said the removal of imported food will be difficult, but targeting people who welcome tourists is a good start.

1 News reports the initiative comes after the cyclone obliterated many dwellings in the Pacific Islands nation highlighting the need for better construction techniques.

Otago Polytech carpentry lecturer Brian Turner has been in Vanuatu since the cyclone and saw the need to upskill those who will man the rebuild.

"I think it's fantastic. It's good to see the people benefiting from these boys working in their industry are giving a bit back," says Mr Turner.

They're being taught skills such as how to strengthen a building against cyclone force winds.

Digicel Vanuatu is the official sponsor of the Mini Games, with Azure Pure Water confirmed as a platinum sponsor and six companies: Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu, ODC Computer Consultants, Pacific Energy - Société de Services Pétroliers - Vanuatu, FR8/DHL Logistics, Hertz Vanuatu and Air Vanuatu, as the gold sponsors.

RNZ reports the eight companies represent 60 percent of the target number of sponsors for the Games.

“It felt so big, and so fast-paced … I really noticed the difference between my country and New Caledonia, and how advanced New Caledonia is compared to us,” Elsa says.

Fast forward two years, and Elsa has recently arrived in Auckland, to complete an internship at Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF), to get her third and final year of studies underway.

“Auckland is huge and much faster than New Caledonia, so I have to get used to being in a bigger city all over,” the 23-year-old laughs.

Late last year, the resort started taking booking for stays from 1 April and, with the earlier opening, rooms are now available from 10 March, and the resort is celebrating with a generous opening special: a 30 per cent discount on a three night stay, or a 40 per cent discount on a seven night stay – with daily buffet breakfast included (deal expires 28 February 2017).

Radio Vanuatu reports U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, Catherine Ebert-Gray, led the inauguration of the structure today.

She was joined by Mr. Ham Lini Vanuaroroa, Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology, Geo-hazards, Environment, Energy and Disaster Management; Mr. Jotham Napat, Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities; Mr. Jesse Benjamin, of the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department; and Mr. Raynold Surmat, Mr. Nakat Kuckrey and Mr. Daniel Samson of the Tafea Local Government.

RNZ reports the two sides also agreed to try and further integrate New Caledonia and French Polynesia into other regional fora, after their admission as full members of the Pacific Islands Forum last year.

They also agreed on the need to replace the Cotonou Agreement, a treaty signed between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of states in 2000.

In a statement, they said a new agreement would increase the number of issues that Vanuatu, the EU, and the wider Pacific address, such as security, climate change and oceans management.

The Port Vila club champion will meet Malampa Revivors FC again today in their second friendly and they need to step up play well and get a better result to make their fans happy in Port Vila today.

The Golden Star players missed a lot of chances to score against Malampa last Saturday and their lost o Malampa is like a wakeup call to all players and coaching team.

For Malampa, This is a good result and this is their second win against a club from Port Vila after they beat Ifira Black Bird in 2015 semifinal of the TVL National Super League.