2019 Pacific Games

Samoa signs host agreement with Pacific Games Council

Lakhan made the comment after signing the host agreement with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi in Apia yesterday.

“When we got the bids, Samoa ticked all the boxes and came up with flying colors,” he said.

“Samoa met all the criterias from government backing and support to the availability of international sports facilities and two experts on the ground to facilitate, manage and deliver the level of competitions. By far, I am very confident that Samoa will deliver.”

Only Samoa and Guam left in Pac Games race

The Pacific Games Council has visited Samoa and Guam in the past fortnight to evaluate their bids but said with no government support forthcoming in Tahiti their initial expression of interest cannot be evaluated further.

The President of the Tahiti Olympic Committee, Tauhiti Nena, said they tried to persuade the administration to reconsider their decision no avail.

Samoa lobbying to host 2019 Pacific Games

Last week Guam joined Samoa and French Polynesia in bidding for the right to host the games after Tonga belatedly pulled out because of a lack of government support.

SASNOC's Fepuleai Patrick Fepuleai said he welcomed the competition, and everyone has the right to do what they feel is right for their own country.

But he said Samoa has everything needed to host a successful games.

Pacific Games Council engages solicitor for legal action against Tonga government

Executive Director of Pacific Games Council, Andrew Minogue said they have engaged a local solicitor to proceed with the legal action.

After Tonga withdrew, the only country that has expressed their interest to host the game is Samoa while New Caledonia will support Tahiti to host the game.

Prime Minister of Samoa Tuilaepa Sailele Malielagaoi has already indicated his government’s willingness to support the bid for Samoa to host the Games.

But Minogue said the decision will be made after July 31.

New Caledonia would support Tahiti bid for Pacific Games

The Pacific Games Council confirmed Tonga's withdrawal from hosting the event earlier this month, and asked for expressions of interest from "experienced" hosts.

Fiji and Papua New Guinea declined to make a bid with Samoa the only country confirming its desire to stage the games.

New Caledonia also ruled itself out, having last hosted the games six years ago.

Chief executive of the territory's Olympic Committee, Michel Quintin, said whoever does take on the hosting mantle needed strong financial backing.

New Caledonia won't bid for 2019 Pacific Games

This is after the Games Council confirmed Tonga's withdrawal earlier this month, and asked for expressions of interest from "experienced" hosts.

Fiji and Papua New Guinea have already declined to make a bid with Samoa the only country confirming their desire to stage the Games.

Guam said it would only consider stepping forward if there were no other contenders.

Noumea has hosted the Pacific Games three times - the last occasion being six years ago and the CEO of the Territory's Olympic Committee, Michel Quintin said 2019 was not a good time for them.

Samoa PM keen to return to archery competition

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.

Samoa 'very interested' in hosting 2019 Pacific Games

The Pacific Games Council confirmed this week it would formally terminate the host agreement with Tonga, after the deadline passed for the government to recommit its support.

Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, said at the end of May his country was keen and always stood ready to host international sporting events.

The Sports Minister, Loau Keneti Sio, said that desire remained.

"Absolutely. We have mentioned it before that we had a cabinet meeting and our Prime Minister was raising the issue," he said.

Official says Government funds had already been allocated for Tonga 2019 before host's withdrawal

Kaniva News reports that ‘Aisake Eke, who was sacked as Minister of Finance in March after abstaining in a vote of no-confidence in Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pōhiva, told a meeting of the Tonga Sports Association and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC) the funds were all specifically aimed to support preparations for the Games in two years’ time.

No official withdrawal from Tonga hosting 2019 Pacific Games

Council President Vidhya Lakhan confirmed to Fiji’s Legend FM Sports there has been no notification from the Tongan government about withdrawing.

He says officially Tonga is still hosting the event.

Reports say Tonga has reviewed hosting the games following an analysis of the impact of hosting the event would have on the economy.

Tonga is reportedly processing its withdrawal documents to be submitted to the 2019 Pacific Games Council.

It would require a budget support of around 33 million US dollars by donor partners to host the event.