P.M. chairs Pacific Games Committee

17 July 2017, 12:00AM

Samoa has started it preparations to host the Pacific Games 2019 even though the Pacific Games Council will meet at the end of the month to determine the host country.

But it’s not stopping the Samoa Government from preparing to host the games, says Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi.

As of now, Samoa is the only country to have officially submitted its request to host the next Pacific Games after Tonga pulled the plug last month. The Kingdom had cited financial reasons and different priorities as grounds for their withdrawal.

And adopting the Scouts Code, To be Prepared, the Prime Minister this week was appointed as the Chairman of the Pacific Games 2019 Preparations Executive Committee.

“I remain firm on my resolve that we are more than prepared to host the Pacific Games,” said Tuilaepa.

“We have the facilities coupled with our impeccable hosting record of world sporting events,” continued the Prime Minister.

“In recent years Samoa hosted the Oceania Weightlifting Championships, the Commonwealth Youth Games and the All Blacks test against Manu Samoa.

“Subsequently China recently committed to fund major improvements to our sporting facilities at the Apia Park and Tu’anaimato.

“We have always stand ready to host international sporting events because of the capabilities and the quality of sporting facilities constructed for the 2007 Pacific Games.” Early this month, Tuilaepa also wrote to the President of the Pacific Games Council reaffirming Samoa’s request to host the Pacific Games.

In that letter, the Prime Minister indicated that if Samoa is given the hosting rights, he will return to competition as one of the country’s Archery competitor.

In 2007, Tuilaepa became the first government leader to represent his country in an international sport competition during the Pacific Games in Samoa.

He won a silver medal and says he will make his comeback in 2019 in Apia to claim the gold medal he missed in 2007.

Tahiti and New Caledonia have publicly declared their interest to bid for the 2019 Pacific Games hosting rights.

17 July 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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