2019 Pacific Games

Tuvalu overcome 3-day voyage to spring beach volleyball surprise

In Tuesday’s pool matches at Apia Waterfront, Tuvalu’s Saaga Malosa and Amalamo Talake defeated PNG’s Richard Batari and Loi Walo in straight sets, although the PNG pair are not the same players that won gold at the Port Moresby XV 2015 Pacific Games.

Along with the rest of Team Tuvalu, Malosa and Talake endured a three-day voyage to reach Samoa. They only arrived on Saturday before attending Sunday night’s opening ceremony and going straight into action on Monday.

PNG begin defence of men’s beach volleyball gold

On the new courts at Apia Waterfront, PNG won the first set 21-17 and the second 21-7, playing with a new line-up of Richard Batari and Loi Walo, in place of Port Moresby 2015 Pacific Games gold medalists Richard Kilarupa and Mea Moha.

Day one of competition saw six games played in the men’s competition in front of a capacity crowd at the free event.

Cheered on by packed crowds, Samoa won the first set 25-23, Tahiti took the second 21-12, and Samoan claimed the last set 15-11.

3-hour celebration

The Opening Ceremony at Apia Park Stadium in Samoa's capital city was broadcast internationally, and was the first Pacific Games opening event to take place on a Sunday.

Despite heavy rain earlier in the day, the weather remained dry for the evening, and the three-act ceremony attracted large crowds, some of whom arrived two hours before the event.

Excited athletes from the 24 competing countries opened proceedings with the parade of nations, some performing a short traditional dance, wearing traditional dress as they moved through the packed arena.

Key players to watch in the Men's Division of the 2019 Pacific Games

Today, all of the brightest stars in the Pacific take center stage in a bid to fly their respective flags high in this prestigious quadrennial basketball showpiece.

So here are the top players to watch from eight different teams set to slug it out for the Pacific Games crown:

TAI WESLEY (GUAM)

Tai Wesley is Guam’s most decorated player, having stops in different ranks and leagues in the world.

Final flag rising ceremonies delight Team Samoa and visitors

Faatamalii Jenny Lauano, assistant CEO of Samoa’s Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture, welcomed all participating athletes, officials and schools who were part of the event.

“Each of the schools participating in today’s ceremony have adopted a country to represent during our flag raising ceremony,” she told the team delegations. “They have learnt your respective culture, your languages and your traditional dances as tribute to all our wonderful countries participating in the Games.”

For students being part of the Pacific Games Opening ceremony a ‘blessing’

For those involved in one of the momentous occasions in the history of what is considered the ‘Miracle Games’ this is described as an “unexpected blessing.”

With such a short time for Samoa to organise the Games, the people have taken the challenge on board and are working hard to ensure the opening ceremony is a success.

Students from different schools and districts around Samoa are working and blending together with one another – and portraying the slogan of the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games, ‘one in spirit.’

Foster humbled to lead Kapuls

“To be honest, I am very happy and honoured to captain the national team once again and I’m looking forward to leading the boys to the Pacific Games,” said Foster.

“It will be a challenging task for me to lead this bunch of boys, especially without regular captain David Muta and David Browne who were ruled out due to injury.

“However, I have been given a lot of support from my other senior teammates, including Koriak Upaiga, Raymond Gunemba, Daniel Joe, Nigel Dabinyaba and Alwin Komolong which takes a load off from my shoulders and I am playing the role well.

Samoa 'ready' to host Pacific Games

About 3,500 athletes from 24 nations across the region will compete in 26 sports from next Monday.

Samoa was only awarded the hosting rights in September 2017 after the Tongan government claimed it could not afford to stage the event.

But Pacific Games Council CEO Andrew Minogue says the Pacific Games Office in Samoa has done a very good job in a very short amount of time to ensure everything is ready to go.

"The organising committee opened for business on the 1st of March last year so really it's only 15 or 16 months," he said.

Golf teams test out Pacific Games venue

New Caledonia and American Samoa teams are taking part at Fagalii Golf Course, Apia, with the Samoan squad also competing as its final trial before selections are made for the Games.

The Samoa Open, played over three days, sees professional and seniors compete for a total of AUD$95,000 in prize money. It is also a test event for the Pacific Games.

With ten days before the Games open, David Barker, the technical delegate for Golf, said the course has already improved in the past week, with more regular mowing to make for faster greens.

PNG Rugby Union announces women’s 7s team

Chairman Syd Yates said coach Paul Tietjens has given the wider training squad, which has been in intense training since returning from the April Hong Kong 7s, every opportunity to make the final team.

Injuries, fitness levels, performance in game situation, attitude on and off the field, commitment and dedication to training, were among the factors that were used to name the final team.