Pacific Games Sports Program Launched
The Games Organising Committee have achieved a significant milestone today, releasing the first version of the Sports Competition Program.
The program confirms the dates and venues for each of the 27 sports being played over the two-week event for the XVI Pacific Games.
“From a planning and coordination perspective, developing the Sports Competition Program is no easy feat. We acknowledge our Sports Team in being able to develop a program in such a short period of time” said Pacific Games Office Chief Executive Officer, Falefata Hele Matatia.
The program confirms the first date of competition as well as the opening ceremony which will be held on Sunday 6th July 2019.
19 venues have been identified in the sports program. The vast majority of the venues were built and used as part of the 2007 South Pacific Games.
“There are some refurbishment projects which we will need to get underway towards the end of the year. However, on the whole, our venues have been well maintained by the Samoa Sports Facility Authority” said Falefata.
The program also identified a new Multi-Sport Centre which will host the sports of Badminton and Netball. The build for this new centre will be funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
One key feature of the program is the decision to host the sport of Boxing in Savai’i. Boxing is a popular sport in Samoa and a compulsory one within the Pacific Games competition schedule. Over 200 athletes and officials are expected to participate in boxing for the Pacific Games next year, with Don Bosco School Hall confirmed as the venue.
Key features of the Sports Competition Program
- Dates for the upcoming XVI Pacific Games are 7th - 20th July
- Opening Ceremony will be held on Sunday 6th July
- 19 of the 27 sports are scheduled to take place in week one
- 16 of the 27 sports are scheduled to take place in week two
- Boxing will be the only sport held in Savai’i
- Six sports (Basketball, Football, Sailing, Squash, Tennis, and Volleyball) are the only sports being played over the two weeks
- A new Multi-Sport Centre will be built and funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China and will be used for the sports of Badminton and Netball
