First athletes move into Games Village
Thirty-six athletes from Vanuatu moved into the Games Village this afternoon, becoming the first to settle in to official Samoa 2019 XVI Pacific Games accommodation.
The group, including the women’s football team, arrived in Apia on Monday and have been anxiously awaiting this opportunity.
According to their management official, William Workworkon, they were looking forward to a friendly match with Samoa this week on Thursday at the SIFA soccer field, to mark the occasion.
During the Games, football will be played in the first and second weeks at the JS Blatter Football Complex, Faleata. The medal matches will be played on 20 July - the final day of Samoa 2019.
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The Vanuatu flag flies at the Games Village.
The Games Village, located at the Faleula Methodist Compound, features a service centre, dining hall, laundry services, a Police Headquarters, merchandise, tourism information, transport and a Polyclinic for teams' medical needs.
When asked about the first wave of athletes, Games Village management officials said: "We officially open tomorrow, and we are ready."
Housing over 4000 people during the two weeks is a great challenge, the Pacific Games Office, Methodist families, sponsors, Government ministries and volunteers are all uniting “One in Spirit” to make it possible.
The management teams for Vanuatu, Cook Islands, New Zealand, Tahiti, Guam and Fiji arrived in the village earlier this week, and have benefited from the widespread maps and signage.
As well as spacious accommodation and amenities, there are portable air conditioners, set up throughout the dining hall area.
In anticipation for the arrival of athletes, the village’s 63 houses and four school compounds have been decorated with the flags of each of the 24 country competing in the Games, creating a colourful and welcoming environment, a clear show of Samoan hospitality.
Over the next week, athletes will arrive in waves. The Games Village is a great opportunity for the many different countries to interact, and in less than four days, Apia will become a multicultural hub of excitement.
