2019 Pacific Games

The original plan was for athletes to be housed in hotels but a lack of providers forced organisers to approach the Methodist Church of Samoa, who agreed to have the athletes stay at their Faleula compound.

Pacific Games Council CEO Andrew Minogue believes the change of plan is a blessing in disguise.

"It's a big advantage actually to have all of the athletes in one place, like we had in Port Moresby (four years ago) and in New Caledonia in 2011. The last time the Games were here (in 2007) all the athletes were housed in schools around the town.

The Chairman of the Pacific Games Organizing Committee said he is excited to welcome the CDM envoy to Samoa and hopes that the meeting will be a fruitful and successful one.

The total worth of all contracts is ST$1,355,280.

A statement said the hotels were selected based on the number of Officials, location and proximity of the hotel to Games venues and Dining Hall facilities, as well as the overall suitability in the transportation plan for the Games.

The sponsorship is worth $200,000.

The Chairman of the Pacific Games Committee, Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio expressed the Government’s appreciation for the generous support given by McDonald’s Family Restaurant.

“On behalf of the Government of Samoa and the Management of the Pacific Games Office, I would like to convey our sincerest gratitude to the Management of McDonald’s Family Restaurant, one of the most renowned Fast Food Restaurants in the world.

Speaking at the signing, Falefata Hele Matatia, CEO of the Pacific Games Office said “We are pleased to announce that Fexco has generously agreed to come on board as a Silver Sponsor for the upcoming games.”

“We are very grateful for your support and we recognize the significance of your support and what it means to the progress of the games moving forward.”

The announcement was made by the Games Organising Committee Chairman and Minister of Education, Sports & Culture, Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio and Managing Director of SCB, Lemalu Ray Ah Liki during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties.

Chairman of the 2019 Pacific Games Committee and Minister of Sports, Loau Keneti Sio expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Lemalu and management for their generous support.

A Memorandum of Agreement was signed last month between the Samoa Government and accommodation providers in Upolu and Savai'i.

But the majority of athletes will now base themselves at the Methodist Church of Samoa's Faleula compound after officials were only able to convince 30 hotels to come on board, which will only cater for one quarter of the 4000 beds required.

Games CEO Falefata Hele Ei Matatia said competing with a busy tourism sector provided added complications.

The 2019 Pacific Games Boxing Competition will be held on the island and the organising committee is counting on the public to wholly support the event.

Organising committee Chief Executive, Falefata Hele Matatia, said the decision to hold the competition in Savai’i is no accident.

“It’s about inclusiveness to ensure that Savai’i plays a leading role in the Pacific Games,” Falefata told the press conference.

Pacific Games Office chief executive Falefata Hele Ei Matatia said the Samoa Tourism Authority and the Hotel Association were working together to facilitate the needs of the participating teams.

The plan to use hotels would be a good financial contribution to the local tourism industry, Falefata said.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government is providing assistance for the construction of a new sports venue, the Faleata sports complex at Tuanaimato, as well as renovation work for all sports facilities at the Apia Park stadium.

SASNOC were only awarded hosting rights in August after the Tongan government belatedly pulled the pin on their host agreement.

President of the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee, Patrick Fepuleai, admitted time is not on their side but they've done it before and could do it again.

"I know it's exciting but it's an awful lot of hard work and the difference being normally you get a lot of time to prepare," he said.

"We've got a year and half left until the Games happen, so we really have to double up on our efforts to get things sorted out."