Pacific Games 2019

Director General of the International Weightlifting Federation, Attila Adamif says most of them plan to use the games as a qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

He recently visited Samoa to see the preparations for the games.

The additional events mean there will be "athletes coming all over from the world," Adamif said.

"I’m sure from Europe, Pan-American, Asia and hopefully Africa. So, it won’t be just a Pacific event, it will be a global event."

They had their first chance to test their skills at the Samoa National Triathlon Championships along the Apia Waterfront on 18 May, where Samoan, Fijian, Tongan and American Samoa athletes competed.

Lyndell Murray, the technical delegate from the International Triathlon Union, speaking at the finish line, said: "It's been a really good opportunity to road test the event for the Pacific Games. A highlight for us has been the training to get the officials ITU-accredited."

The announcement was made by the Chairman of Games Organising Committee, Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio.
“Samoa 2019 is blessed to have the love and support of our people, as well as the support of our overseas counterparts towards our journey to become Games ready,” said Loau.
“Today’s announcement shows the commitment and support of Legend Sportswear and for that we are grateful.”
Legend Sportswear was established in 2004. Founded by Australian owners, Legend produces a range of apparel products and is well known for their best service and quality products.

The meet is a warm up competition for the Pacific Games in July.

Triathlon Competition Manager Afoa Daniel Afoa says seven athletes from Fiji, American Samoa and Tonga will compete against Samoa.

"They are excited to utilise the test event as their opportunity to get some advantage of racing on the actual course for July. Additionally, the athletes will be joined by five local teams made up from FESA, Police and Samoa Events to ensure a competitive and fun day will be had by all."

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi won a silver medal in the mixed recurve team event at the 2007 Games in Apia and announced at the weekend his intention to represent Samoa once again at the 2019 event on home soil.

President of the Archery Samoa Federation, Muaausa Joseph Walter, competed alongside the Prime Minister 12 years ago and said he always expected the 74-year-old would want to give the Games another crack.

"When he competes with us I suppose he takes off his Prime Minister hat and he's part of the group," he said.

Lynetta Laumea-Edward will be volunteering to help with the smooth running of football at the Games. She is the project manager for the Football Federation Samoa’s Just Play, a grassroots programme promoting physical activity for primary-aged children while encouraging community involvement and healthy living.

The 35-year-old scored Samoa’s first senior women’s international goal – in the 77th-minute against Cook Islands in 2003.

Netball Samoa Association CEO, Rosemarie Esera says representing the national side at home is a bonus for the girls.

“Playing and representing Samoa in front of your home crowd will always be the greatest boost/honor for any team/player/coach,” she said.

Esera adds preparation has been well underway and players have been showing a lot of progress during training sessions.

In their preparations for the event from 7-20 July in Samoa, the team is aiming to participate in as many of the 27 sports as it can.

"For starters, as the next host nation, we are doing our best in getting involved with all the 27 sports in the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games. We don’t have shooting due to gun control back home, badminton, squash, lawn bowls and cricket, but all the other sports we are involved with," said Michael Chan, Chef De Mission of the Solomon Islands.

Kosi Latu is co-director of Greening of the Games and Secretary-General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). 

The Greening of the Games initiative aims to take a stand against single-use plastic, and tackle the issue of waste. But for Kosi it is much bigger.

"I am looking at the big picture - this is not just about eliminating single-use plastics and Styrofoam. It’s a lifestyle," says Kosi.

"If you can do it at the Games, you can do it at home, you can do it in a village and you can do it anywhere."

The announcement was made by the CEO of the Pacific Games Office (PGO), Falefata Hele Matatia and CEO of the Electric Power Corporation, Tologata Tile Tuimalealiifano during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to be a ‘Friends of the Games Sponsor’ for the Pacific Games 2019.