2019 Pacific Games

Samoa raises the bar in Pacific Games broadcasting

Among the firsts is the announcement that for the first time in Games history SKY New Zealand will be joining established Games partners EMTV, Fiji TV, France TV and Vanuatu TV for the Host Broadcast.

“We are excited to announce that for the first time in Games history SKY New Zealand will be joining established Games partners EMTV, Fiji TV, France TV and Vanuatu TV, who have contributed significant equipment and crew to ensure we get live coverage from six (6) venues simultaneously,” said Falefata Hele Matatia, CEO of Pacific Games Office.

China hands over complex to Samoa ahead of Pacific Games

Speaking at the ceremony yesterday Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Malielegaoi thanked China saying the building of the Multi-Sport Centre aligns with the government's vision to grow Faleata as the sports hub of Samoa and the Pacific region.

The Multi-Sport Centre consists of two state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor netball courts built to international specifications. It also has the capacity to host badminton, basketball, table tennis, boxing and other indoor sports.

Rugby 7s releases draw for Samoa 2019 XVI Pacific Games

Twelve countries will compete in Rugby 7s over the two-day (12-13 July) tournament at Apia Park Stadium. The tournament kicks off at 1000hrs on 12 July with Fiji v Solomon Islands in the women’s competition.

¬¬¬Seeding for the draw was decided on rankings from the 2018/2019 HSBC Sevens Series; rankings from Oceania Sevens Championships; and the 2017 Pacific Mini Games.

Pacific Games Badminton draws released

The teams have been allocated a seeded position based on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings.

Seed position

  Country

1

Tahiti

2

Draw made for football competition at Samoa 2019 Pacific Games

Conducted by Football Federation Samoa, the draw used seedings based on FIFA rankings.

In the men's event, six teams had been set to be placed in Group A and five in Group B but due to an mistake on the day, five teams were drawn for Group A and six for Group B.

To rectify this, a straight swap was carried out in the match schedules between the groups.

Group A features hosts Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand under-23s, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.

New Caledonia are the top seeds in Group B, alongside American Samoa, Tuvalu, Tahiti, Fiji and Solomon Islands.

Samoan firm partners with Pacific Games for accreditation

“We are grateful to the Pacific Games for believing in a local company that we can build something like this and to partner with us when it comes to technology,” said Chief Executive Officer of SkyEye, Fa'aso'otauloa Sam Saili.

SkyEye Samoa was officially announced the ‘Accreditation Partner of the Games’ in March. Accreditation involves collating all participants' details, including roles and venue access, and then issuing individual accreditation cards. It covers thousands of people - athletes, officials, staff and volunteers.

PNG men’s soccer team in camp

With 24 days to go before the kickoff, head coach Bob Morris wants his players to get the little things right and understand their role in the game.

As days count down to the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa, which is set to start on July 7th, the PNG men’s soccer squad is hard at training.

Head Coach Bob Morris said players arrived in the camp on Sunday and are all excited.

With less preparation time left, they are betting on confidence and teamwork.

Samoans training as squash referees

The Samoa Squash Association is working with the Oceania Squash Federation on training and accreditation. 

"Our aim is to have seven locals complete their assessments during the Games and receive Oceania Referee accreditation," said Carol Kawaljenko, Executive Officer of the Federation.

Samoa does not have qualified referees to an international level, so the federation funded a two-day training course, run by Chris Buckland from New Zealand.

The course was a success with more than ten participants from the Samoa Squash Association.

Smokefree Pacific Games re-enforces healthy message

Athletes, officials, spectators, volunteers, and the workforce involved in the Games are reminded that the event is smokefree.

May 31, which is just 37 days until the Opening Ceremony kicks off a fortnight of sporting competition, is the annual No Tobacco Day organised by the World Health Organization.

The annual campaign raises awareness of the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and aims to discourage the use of tobacco in any form.

Samoa 2019 claims Village on track for Pacific Games

The Faleula Methodist Compound was confirmed as the Games Village in November.

Construction and renovation efforts are ongoing in preparation for the Games, with more than 3,500 athletes and officials expected to attend.

The construction process is being overseen by Reverend Amosa Tapuai, the Samoa 2019 accommodation project manager.

"As of now, all the preparations are ahead of schedule,” Tapuai said.

“We are hoping to complete all construction and renovations of the building at the end of May.