Samoa Awarded Pacific Games

(ATR) Samoa won unanimous approval to host the 2019 Pacific Games from the Pacific Games Council Executive Board.

The PGC had been searching for a new host for the 2019 Games after Tonga had withdrawn financial commitments to host. Guam and Tahiti had expressed interest in hosting the Games alongside Samoa, during a protracted bidding period.

Tahiti could not guarantee government financial support, leaving the PGC to decide between Samoa and Guam.Ultimately the PGC Executive Board said that commitments from the Samoa government were stronger, leading to its selection. Guam’s bid required legislative approval, which was not reached in the short timeframe, a PGC release said.

"The Executive Board assessed that the expression of interested lodged by Samoa was the only one that met all the criteria," a PGC statement said. "The PGC is very grateful to the [associations] of Guam and Tahiti for displaying their strong commitment to the Pacific Games and for offering to provide the athletes with a home for their 2019 Games."

Guam had hosted the 1999 Pacific Games, and Samoa last hosted in 2007. Samoa also hosted the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games, of which many venues will be used for the 2019 Games.

"The sporting facilities are all in place and the full and financial support of the Samoan Prime Minister and Government gave the Samoan PGA’s bid the winning edge," Vidhya Lakhan, PGC President, said in a statement. "We all look forward to returning to Apia in 2019. In the meantime, the PGC expects to sign the Games Host Agreement with the Samoan PGA and Government in the next ten days."

Written by Aaron Bauer

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