The South Pacific Games in Samoa
By Silafaga Lalua
The 45 year old South Pacific Games is all set to get underway tomorrow as teams from the whole 22 countries participating this time gather in Apia Samoa for the thirteenth SPG Games.
SPG was founded back in 1962 by the then South Pacific Commission SPC with the idea to build friendships and foster culture and brotherhood amongst all Pacific nations and territories.
It was held for the first time the following year in Fiji and since then the games have been held in 12 destinations, happening every four years when the region’s top athletes battle in a two week multi-sport event that has increased in number, sports played and status.
This year 33 sports will be played by 4649 athletes from the 22 participating island nations, with officials amounting to 1500.
Samoa is expected to spend 100 million talaa on these games’ facilities.
Tuvalu news found out that the XIIIth South Pacific Games will be the last under this name banner as the next 2011 New Caledonia competition will be the Pacific Games, to go hand in hand with the changes the Pacific has gone through over the years.
Media personnels from around the region as well as local media gathered this morning at Pasefika Inn’s conference room to get all journalists, media volunteers and liaison officers equipped with necessary information on games schedules and functions.
Tuvalu media would like to acknowledge Alpha Pacific Navigation Limited for sponsoring its representative to the games.
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