Samoa’s bid to host the 2019 Pacific Games has received a Prime Ministerial endorsement.
News that Tonga is officially not hosting the 2019 Pacific has prompted Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi to put his weight behind Samoa’s bid to bring the games to Apia not only as the government leader but as a competitor.
The Prime Minister has written to the Pacific Games Council President Vidhya Lakhan reiterating that Samoa is more than prepared to host Games.
“Our facilities are available and it was used to host the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2015,” said the Prime Minister.
He noted that government has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China to further upgrade Sports Facilities in Samoa between now and 2018.
As a sportsman, Tuilaepa told the Pacific Games Chief that he also intends to participate as a competitor in Archery chasing his Gold Medal which he missed in 2007 in Apia, according to a release from the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The Prime Minister won a silver medal in the 2007 Games.
Samoa is up against the two French territories, Tahiti and New Caledonia as the remaining contenders to host after Fiji and Papua New Guinea withdrew.
Photo by MPMC