Pacific Mini Games

The multi-sport event was originally scheduled to be held in Saipan in the middle of next year but has been delayed because of Covid-19, which has shut down borders and crippled the CNMI economy which is reliant on tourism.

The Tokyo Olympics have already been pushed back until July next year while late 2021 has also been ruled out because local schools will not be available to to accommodate the athletes.

Pacific Games Council CEO Andrew Minogue said they were trying to find a solution amongst a very crowded calendar.

The Micronesian country previously hosted the Games in 2005 and plan to refurbish most of their existing facilities over the next few years.

The President of the Palau Olympic Committee, Frank Kyota, said the successful bid was the result of a lot of preparation and hard work over the last 18-20 months.

The French Polynesian government announced in October it would boycott the event, which concluded in Port Vila Friday night, because of a dispute over which boxers should represent Tahiti.

Athletes from boxing and rugby sevens agreed to attend the Mini Games under a neutral flag, in defiance of the government's position, however the rugby team never made it to Vanuatu.

The CEO of the Pacific Games Council, Andrew Minogue, said Tahiti's absence had a significant effect on the Mini Games.

Vanuatu boxer, Robin Peter, was tough and fast to hit his Fijian opponent Rokobuli Nemani right in the head.

Nemani, also fast, quickly answered with some of his own punch points to Peter.

During the second round, Peter tried his best to win by way of a knock out but Nemani did well in blocking his attempts.

After the final round, Peter was able to win the bout on point counts.

NEW CALEDONIA VS TOKELAU

Despite Tokelau fighter, Eraiski L, being very strong, the New Caledonian boxer, Jean T was able to beat him in a strong boxing match.

In the men’s competition, Tonga and Papua New Guinea were the victors in the early matches.

Tonga defeated Tuvalu in a close match where Tonga looked promising in the first set but Tuvalu stepped up their performance, winning the second set. In the third, Tonga came back with energy that dominated Tuvalu which resulted in Tonga taking the win.

In the second match, Papua New Guinea took on Solomon Islands and dominated the match from the beginning not giving the men from the Solomons a chance, taking the first set and then the second in convincing style 21-16.

In the heart of Korman complex, flags were waving in the crowd as para-athletes took their spot on the starting line, ready to take off at the sound of the starting gun.

Sylvain Bova, a vision impaired runner from New Caledonia, was positioned in lane one and took his mark with his guide, Germain Haewegene, by his side as they prepared to sprint for gold in the Men’s 100m ambulant final.

Twelve seconds and thirteen milliseconds later, they crossed the finish line in perfect sync with each matching the other’s stride.

On Tuesday’s fixture, six games took place down at the new Korman courts,which started early and as scheduled 9am and entertained the crowd for over four hours of action and excitement in both the Men’s and Women’s competition.

Solomon Islands Women’s team won its first game taking the match two sets to nil against Tuvalu. The second match between the hometown heroes of Vanuatu and Wallis & Futuna was unsurprisingly dominated by Linline Matauata and Loti Joe taking the match two sets to nil.

Tonga’s Ata Maama Tuutafaiva secured the gold medal while New Caledonia’s Ashley Bologna grabbed the silver.

Cook Island’s Tereapii Tapoki picked up the bronze medal.

Tuutafaiva collected the gold with a throw of 14.95 metres.

New Caledonia with a 14.53 metre and Cook Islands with a 12.75 metres throw.

Speaking to the Van2017 News Service, Tuutafaiva said she was very happy of winning a gold medal for her country.

“This is my first time to win a gold medal in a Mini-games. And I am very proud and happy for it,” she said.

In the Men’s 400m Hurdles, PNG had a good result winning both the gold and the silver with Boino Mowen finishing in a time of 52.44 secs followed by Lerkin Ephraim in53.00 seconds.

Tongan Talatala Pooi secured the bronze with a time of 54.69 seconds.

“It’s not common for a Tongan to achieve a medal in Athletics. I tried my best and I hope my people are happy with what I’ve achieved” said Pooi.

The suspension was unanimously agreed by the Pacific Games Council's General Assembly during a meeting in Port Vila yesterday.

In a statement, the Council said French Polynesia's government had interfered in the autonomy and independence of sporting associations, which culminated in its decision to boycott the 2017 Mini Games in Vanuatu.