Pacific Games

CISNOC Secretary General Robert Graham told members of the Pacific Games Council (PGC) that his country would not be able to host Pacific Games because it has no capacity to host the games.

“We won’t be able to host a Pacific Games - never. We cannot it’s too big for us,” he said.

“About 12 of us members that will only probably host Pacific Mini Games,” he said.

Graham said if the PGC changes the Mini to Youth Games it won’t get the support from the government.

Carlo in his report to the Pacific Games Council (PGC) Annual General Meeting in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea yesterday said swimming one of the major attractions at any Pacific or Oceania meet is not on the programme.

“We had discussions with the Pacific Games Council executives on deleting swimming, there’s also a big question mark on  weightlifting because you know the small countries would like to have weightlifting because its their medal winning event.”

The 19 year old won silver after she was defeated 6-0 by gold medallist Fijian Drodrolagi Kidia in the female individual kumite -61kg category.

Catherine said the silver medal means a lot because this is her first Pacific Games and first ever medal.

The watershed moment for women in the boxing came when it was added to the London 2012 Olympic Games program.

Since 2012, women have featured at other large events like the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, and at the recent 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The bronze medal holders lost to silver medallist Tahiti 3-0 in a close encounter this evening at the BSP Arena.

The Tahitians were too strong and surprised the sell-out crowd as they put on a great show.

The arena was filled to capacity with fans supporting the home team but they were  disappointed after Tahiti stomped over PNG in the first set 25-22.

The crowd kept chanting and cheering the home team on as the pressure was applied in the second set.

PNG's Paul Moses won bronze while Maryanne Moses of Fiji won silver.

In the heavyweight 55kg female division, Ursula Martin bagged gold while PNG's Misa Avefa won silver and Haifa June Work won bronze.

 The men's middleweight under 85kg finals is underway.

That is from Australian High Commission’s Minister-Counsellor Governance, Rodney Hilton at the Leadership4Life event for the Pacific Games.

He says leadership is about initiative, action, courage and teamwork and that good leaders inspire and support those around them so they can achieve common goals.

This morning saw Mark Donald of PNG, Gyandera Maharaj of Fiji, Rocky Teklem of Solomon Islands, Yvan Thales of New Caledonia and Posing-Simon luis-Sail of Tahiti took to the stage to compete in the under 65kg male division while Salen Jim of PNG, Sione Sale of Tonga, Gary Colombani of Tahiti, Venon Bhim of Fiji, Denis Dolanga Sala of Solomon Islands and Nelson Sanmarso of New Caledonia took part in the men’s over 65kg division.

The women contestants only participated in the under 55kg and over 55kg divisions.

Fiji beat Vanuatu 4-3 in penalty shoot outs tonight at the Sir Hubert Murray stadium.

More To come..

However, according to PGC Executive Director Andrew Minogue there’s still some work and convincing to do before it fully becomes a recognised games for the region like all other continents.

“We have Australia and New Zealand here and some of the sport are really using the Games now to qualify for the Olympics or World Championships and we have to deliver to a certain standard,” said Minogue.