Pacific Mini Games

Pacific Mini Games saddened at New Zealand absence

Andrew Minogue says New Zealand initially thought of sending teams to compete in athletics, weightlifting, and beach volleyball.

But he says they are instead committed to the Commonwealth Games in July.

Australia, however, will send 19 young athletes and five weightlifters.

Mini Games Organising Committee chair Marco Peter says he's saddened that New Zealand won't be competing.

The Mini Games, which will be held later this month, will have over 1,000 athletes competing from 20 island nations.

     

More than 1000 athletes to compete in Pacific Mini Games

Super typhoons, the withdrawal of government support and Covid-19 have disrupted the event which will now take place from June 17-25. It was originally due to be held in May/June 2021.

The hosts and Fiji lead the delegations with 125 athletes apiece.

Solomon Islands has 117 athletes while New Caledonia has 109. The smallest delegations are Norfolk Island and American Samoa with three each.

The 20 Pacific nations and territories attending and their number of athletes are:

CNMI forms Pacific Mini Games Committee

Peter represented the CNMI in the Pacific Games Council meeting in Samoa last year to reaffirm the commonwealth's commitment to the event.

He has been named by Governor Ralph Torres to serve as chair of the local Organising Committee.

He will be joined by a slew of officials from the CNMI's government and private sector, including Saipan Mayor, David Apatang; Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director, Priscilla Iakopo; Hotel Association Chair, Gloria Cavanagh; and the heads of the departments of Public Safety, Public Works, Lands and Natural Resources, among others.

CNMI set to host Pacific Mini Games for first time in June 2022

Saipan will host the games then after a CNMI request to postpone the event until 2022 was accepted by Pacific Games Council.

The CNMI was originally supposed to hold the Mini Games in June 2021, but the Games Council requested the host nation reschedule so as not to clash with the Tokyo Olympics, which had been delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The council suggested a date of December 2021 however the CNMI requested a June 2022 date which has now been approved by the 22 member-nation council.

Pacific Mini Games set to lock in new dates

The multi-sport event was originally scheduled to be held in Saipan in the middle of next year but has been delayed because of Covid-19, which has shut down borders and crippled the CNMI economy which is reliant on tourism.

The Tokyo Olympics have already been pushed back until July next year while late 2021 has also been ruled out because local schools will not be available to to accommodate the athletes.

Pacific Games Council CEO Andrew Minogue said they were trying to find a solution amongst a very crowded calendar.

Palau to host 2025 Pacific Mini Games

The Micronesian country previously hosted the Games in 2005 and plan to refurbish most of their existing facilities over the next few years.

The President of the Palau Olympic Committee, Frank Kyota, said the successful bid was the result of a lot of preparation and hard work over the last 18-20 months.

Tahiti absence 'damaging' to Mini Games brand - PGC

The French Polynesian government announced in October it would boycott the event, which concluded in Port Vila Friday night, because of a dispute over which boxers should represent Tahiti.

Athletes from boxing and rugby sevens agreed to attend the Mini Games under a neutral flag, in defiance of the government's position, however the rugby team never made it to Vanuatu.

The CEO of the Pacific Games Council, Andrew Minogue, said Tahiti's absence had a significant effect on the Mini Games.

Pacific boxers bring out their best

Vanuatu boxer, Robin Peter, was tough and fast to hit his Fijian opponent Rokobuli Nemani right in the head.

Nemani, also fast, quickly answered with some of his own punch points to Peter.

During the second round, Peter tried his best to win by way of a knock out but Nemani did well in blocking his attempts.

After the final round, Peter was able to win the bout on point counts.

NEW CALEDONIA VS TOKELAU

Despite Tokelau fighter, Eraiski L, being very strong, the New Caledonian boxer, Jean T was able to beat him in a strong boxing match.

PNG, Tonga men’s beach volleyball teams too strong

In the men’s competition, Tonga and Papua New Guinea were the victors in the early matches.

Tonga defeated Tuvalu in a close match where Tonga looked promising in the first set but Tuvalu stepped up their performance, winning the second set. In the third, Tonga came back with energy that dominated Tuvalu which resulted in Tonga taking the win.

In the second match, Papua New Guinea took on Solomon Islands and dominated the match from the beginning not giving the men from the Solomons a chance, taking the first set and then the second in convincing style 21-16.

In perfect snyc for gold

In the heart of Korman complex, flags were waving in the crowd as para-athletes took their spot on the starting line, ready to take off at the sound of the starting gun.

Sylvain Bova, a vision impaired runner from New Caledonia, was positioned in lane one and took his mark with his guide, Germain Haewegene, by his side as they prepared to sprint for gold in the Men’s 100m ambulant final.

Twelve seconds and thirteen milliseconds later, they crossed the finish line in perfect sync with each matching the other’s stride.