Samoa

Preparations for the week-long event have been praised by organisers, who also backed the Samoan government's decision to deny entry for athletes from Sierra Leone.

The delegation from Sierra Leone was denied entry visas over Ebola virus fears.

Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, says it's the responsibility of his government to put safety first for the up to 2,000 athletes participating in the Youth Games.

Commonwealth Games Federation CEO David Grevemberg is confident Samoa will host a memorable Games with a lasting legacy.

The Commonwealth Games Federation rejected a proposal by Ghana to issue sanctions against Samoa, for denying Sierra Leone entry, at this weeks General Assembly in Auckland.

Tuila'epa says it's the responsibility of his government to put safety first for the up to 2,000 athletes participating in the fifth Commonwealth Youth games.

He says he supports the decision because his country was the worst affected by the Spanish flu, which had killed 25 percent of Samoa's population back in 1918.

Tonga, American Samoa, Samoa and Cook Islands are all in Nuku'alofa, vying for one spot in next year's Oceania Nations Cup.

Samoa prevailed when the same teams met in Apia four years ago but head coach Phineas Young says the squad has a new look after being ovehauled in recent years.

Cook Islands won the biennial event two years ago but will not defend their title, choosing to focus their limited resources on November's Olympic Sevens Qualifier.

Newcomers American Samoa open proceedings against Solomon Islands at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, followed by hosts Papua New Guinea against Tahiti, in the first round of matches.

The General Manager of Rugby PNG, Frank Genia, says pride and silverware aren't the only things on up for grabs.

The Media Council Bill, said acting Press Secretary Renate Rivers, was not pushed through hurriedly.

“There were a number of in-depth consultations that were held by government and the Journalists Association of (Western) Samoa (JAWS) over the course of three years.”

Rivers said that what should be highlighted is that the Media Council will be “media-led”.

“The Journalists Association of (Western) Samoa, or JAWS, is comprised of journalists and they will choose the council members from among themselves and the community.

Team Cook Islands, to be headed by Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) sports manager Siniva Marsters, will be taking part in aquatics (swimming), athletics, lawn bowls and rugby sevens.

Marsters has become the second female after Rosie Blake to lead Team Cook Islands to an international event.

The athletes, aged 14 to 18 years, will be gunning for their personal bests in the week-long games in Apia.

KNOC's Sport Education Officer, Tenoa Betene told Radio Kiribati News Kiribati will only be competing in three sports - Tennis, Weightlifting and Boxing.

Competing in Tennis are Tabera Bonteman and Kaoa Fakaofo. Takirua Betero and Toonga Tokitebwa will take part in weightlifting while Tevi Steven will compete in boxing.

The team is expected to depart for the Games on 03 September and to return on 17 September.

Up to 1000 athletes from 68 countries will visit Samoa next month to contest nine sports.

The Games Planning and Delivery Advisor, Moira Lassen, says the final venues are due to be signed off next week and the focus now is on ensuring everything else comes together smoothly for when the teams arrive.

"Making sure the venues are ready to go, all the supplies are here, sport equipment is here - accreditation is always a big piece because you're dealing with all that many human beings on the other end of all that accreditation."

Run in conjunction with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), the Commonwealth Secretariat and children's charity UNICEF, the activities include workshops and “Just Play” fan zones, where young locals, athletes and visitors will be able to participate in interactive games.

The workshops will be held on a rotational basis each day for athletes and officials and will be delivered by representatives from the Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace, a group of young sports leaders from across the region.

The Flying Fijians have moved up one place to ninth after beating Manu Samoa in last week's final.

Tonga's three-match winning streak to end the tournament has also seen them jump from 12th into the top ten, with Samoa slipping back two places to 11th.

In other notable moves, Ireland has climbed to their highest ever position of second after beating Wales in a World Cup warm-up match over the weekend.

That, coupled with South Africa's shock home defeat to Argentina was enough for the Irish to move up, with the Springboks dropping three places to fifth.