Pacific Games

Samoa 2019 appoints host broadcaster for Pacific Games

The Singapore-based company was selected by the Pacific Broadcasting Consultancy Company following a tender process, which concluded in March.

Melanesia Media Group will be responsible for the sale of rights and broadcast coverage of the Games.

Organisers say live coverage and highlights will be produced, which will be distributed across the Pacific Islands.

Australia and New Zealand, who will compete in beach volleyball, judo, rugby sevens, sailing, taekwondo and weightlifting, will also receive coverage.

Eveni Carruthers signs on to support the Pacific Games

The announcement was made by the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio, at the signing ceremony earlier today.

“Eveni Carruthers has been serving the people of Samoa for 90 years and to mark this milestone they have decided to support the Games preparations” said the Chairman.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Samoa, we congratulate Eveni Carruthers on this significant milestone, and thank management and staff for your generosity. May God continue to bless Eveni Carruthers in the years to come.”

Romania Pose to shine for Samoa Netball at the Pacific Games

The young athlete who hails from the village of Vaimoso is expected to shine with her impressive performances in the past few years.

Pose was nominated by Netball Samoa as the “Breakout Star of the year” for her outstanding performance back in 2016.

In 2017, she played in the top line up during the Oceania Qualifiers Tournament, part of the winning team of the National Netball League, Women’s Division and current Shield Holders – St Mary’s Sport Club.

Pose was also part of the Blue team that won Gold for the Upolu Samoa Games Netball Competition.

Pacific Games Council not threatened by Asian Games invite

The Olympic Council of Asia confirmed at its General Assembly in Bangkok earlier this month that athletes from 17 Oceania nations would be eligible to compete in sports which will serve as joint Asia-Oceania qualifying events for the Olympic Games.

PGC President Vidhya Lakhan was present at the assembly where the OCA President, Sheikh Ahmad, said the next Asiad in Hangzhou, China would expand the relationship between the two regions.

Samoa Shipping Corp named Gold Sponsor for Pacific Games

The Chairman of the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games Committee made the announcement today at the signing ceremony between the Samoa Shipping Corporation and the Pacific Games Office.

“I would like to thank the Minister, Board of Directors, General Manager and the management of Samoa Shipping Corporation for this kind donation. As the Minister for Sports, such assistance gives me great joy. The $500,000 that you have given in support of the Pacific Games is not a small amount, so I thank you for lending your shoulder to help us through the preparations for the games.”

Pacific Games Office signs MoU with SASNOC

The event marks a milestone in solidifying the partnership between the Pacific Games Office and SASNOC ahead of the Games.

The partnership provides SASNOC financial and in-kind support valued at $1.5 million Tala from the Pacific Games Office. In exchange, the Pacific Games Office has received the rights of association with Team Samoa to sell and market for the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games.

Doubt over silver medallist's eligibility for Samoa

The Australian-based and born boxer holds a Samoan passport through which he represented the islands at last year's Gold Coast Games.

The Pacific Games Council has told RNZ Pacific the eligibility requirements for its flagship event included a passport as well as five years of residence.

Faoagali who lives with his family in New South Wales, became a local hero when he emerged as a relative unknown to win the Commonwealth Games silver medal in the men's 81kg division.

Pacific Games Council lifts suspension on Tahiti

Athletes from the French territory will be free to participate at next year's Pacific Games in Samoa provided an agreement for the selection of its rugby and boxing athletes is honoured.

Tahiti was suspended by the Council's General Assembly in December due to "political interference".

It followed the French Polynesian Government's decision to boycott the 2017 Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu because of a dispute over which boxers and rugby sevens athletes should represent Tahiti.

Pacific Games urged to include more qualifying events to boost interest

A Commonwealth Games Qualifier for beach volleyball was played prior to the Mini Games in Vanuatu earlier this month, ensuring a strong field was in attendance in Port Vila.

Meanwhile the rugby sevens competition also had a World Cup qualifying spot up for grabs.

Van2017 CEO Clint Flood said further qualifying opportunities will lead to more interest at future Games.

"We would have liked to have a few more teams in football - it would have been great to have PNG here and the other teams," he said.

West Papua could compete in future Pacific Games

The PGC’s Forum held after its annual general meeting in Port Vila, Vanuatu this week was to hear members on several key topics such as associate membership, bid process and management structure

The other names that were floated in general discussion that could be invited to become members of the regional games were Christmas Island, Bougainville, Easter Islands and Hawaii apart from Australia and New Zealand.

These countries could in future become associate members with certain voting rights.