Pacific Games

 Apia's waterfront and downtown area have had a $US4 million makeover which was jointly funded by the New Zealand government and the Global Climate Fund.

The project has taken 12 months to complete and the New Zealand High Commission's Luatua Pati said Apia's waterfront is a truly special place which embraces Samoa's "history, heritage, arts and culture".

Toea Wisil recently went viral with her Facebook post when she called out APNG and president Tony Green for intimidating athletes into submission as well as feeding them biscuits, especially during the Oceania Championships held in Cairns (June 24-28) in a post titled “Not Keeping it Quiet”.

“Athletes been eating Snax biscuits for breakfast and lunch before coming to Oceania and hungry while here. I am putting it out for the people to know what is going on in our sports.”

Forward, Almanda Motuga and Johnny Vaili have been selected in the final line up.

Motuga finished third in the overall World Sevens Series Performance tracker table with 329 points and Vaili finished in the top ten of most tries scored table with 29 points.

Vaili ihas also been selected to be part of Samoa’s Pacific Nations Cup squad for this year.

The Sir Gordon Tietjens-coached side is laced with more experienced players that will represent Samoa in the sevens rugby game which will be held on 12-13 July.

Samoa squad:

Over 300 students from Maluafou, Leulumoega and Papauta colleges have pulled out of an entertainment contingent featuring over 2000 students in total.

The organisation's General Secretary Rev. Vavatau Taufao said the reason is that the church doesn't want to violate the day of worship, Sunday.

He said in an interview with Loabay LGN Online that the Church's Board of Education only learned last week when the Games Programmer was released that the opening would be held on Sunday.

Tuila'epa had the utility company in his sights after a power outage delayed an event last Saturday when he was having lunch with Samoa athletes at the Games venue at Tuanaimato.

Speaking at the event, Tuila'epa sent a message to the Electric Power Company staff that they must prevent any power interruption while the Games, which start this weekend, are on.

The prime minister said the company's technical staff should not sleep until the Games are finished.

The Laser Radial sailor will be competing in her second regional meeting.

“I am doing sailing, the laser radial for women, me and another lady representing Samoa. And I’ve been sailing since I was 8. Had a big gap in between with abit of travel, University, Work and now back again at work. So I had a ten year gap. Now I’m back into representing Samoa. I did represent in 2007 Games. So this will be my second Pacific Games.”

Ripley is expecting a tough competition this year and believes the team is well prepared for the games.

Speaking to the female sports journalist participants, Nynette Sass took the advantage to discuss any queries about the regional event.

“Samoa is ready to host the games and we are on to the final stages of preparing every place reserved for the games and we are glad to hosting this year’s Pacific Games,” Sass said.

She also highlighted the importance of women’s participation in any aspects of the Games.

The new note design celebrates Samoa’s youth and sporting legacy.

The images on the note depict their daily lives and the realisation of their sporting dreams.

A team at the Central Bank of Samoa has been busy designing and preparing the 10 Tala Commemorative Note to be ready in time for the Games.

Samoa will get to see the note out in circulation through the various commercial banks.

The Pacific Games will be held from 7-20 July.

Photo supplied 

Team Samoa Chef de Mission, Nynette Sass says athletes will check out from their place of accommodation after completing their events.

“The first wave of athletes checking in and it depends on the sports schedule for first week and second week. So those competing in the first week will come in and check in and do the competition and then check out and then next wave comes in.”

“So in that way we don’t get to overload the system too much,” she said.

To have the students carry the baton brought the communities together in unison, manifesting the slogan of the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games, “one in spirit.” 

The Savai'i leg of the relay will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday before coming to Upolu.

People of all ages flooded the streets as the torch baton for the Games made its way through and the event was live-streamed on Facebook.