Pacific Games

For the games between countries of the Pacific Rim, see Pacific Ocean Games.
Pacific Games
Abbreviation PAG
First event 1963
Occur every 4 years
Headquarters Suva,  Fiji
President Vidhya Lakhan
Website Official Website

The Pacific Games (formerly known as the South Pacific Games) is a multi-sport event, much like the Olympics (albeit on a much smaller scale), with participation exclusively from countries around the South Pacific. It is held every four years and began in 1963, hosted by Suva, Fiji.

History

Concept

The idea of holding the South Pacific Games originated with Dr A.H. Sahu Khan who was one of Fiji's representatives at a meeting of the South Pacific Commission held at Rabaul during 1959. The idea was adopted and led to a meeting of nine Territories, held in Nouméa during March 1961, which awarded Fiji the honour of hosting the very first Games.[1]

Creation

During 1962, the South Pacific Commission founded the South Pacific Games Council, with the first ever Games being held at Suva, Fiji. In the 40 years since, Games have been held in 12 countries and territories within the region. Initially the Games were held at three-year intervals although this was subsequently expanded to four following the Tumon Games in Guam.

As a residual consequence of the European colonisation of the Pacific from the early part of the 18th Century onwards, many nations who participated in the first Games (of 1963) were under predominantly British or French territorial rule. Understandably this generated a certain amount of confusion as both British and French flags and national anthems dominated proceedings and were occasionally used together for winning countries.
Western Samoa (now Samoa) was the only country with a flag and anthem of its sovereignty as it was the only participating independent island nation at that time. As time went on, fledgling nations gradually achieving sovereignty of their own sought to extricate themselves from their colonial past and new national anthems and flags emerged. Nevertheless, English and French remain the official languages of the Games.[2]

Like other sporting events, the South Pacific Games has experienced slight controversies. A minor dispute that still continues today is the scheduling of events landing on a Sunday. Throughout the Pacific, the Christian Sabbath remains very important (sporting events or similar activity are illegal in Tonga for example) and scheduling at such a time would be frowned upon. The events themselves have also been affected by religious sensitivities, notably beach volleyball where the official uniform of bikinis for women has been forced to give way to more conservative attire.[3] However other larger nations within the region or those loosely associated with more secular states (e.g. Cook Islands (New Zealand), American Samoa (USA), and French Polynesia (France)) are more moderate in this regard.

Other global and regional events have also influenced and shaped the Games' history. In 1995, the year Papeete, Tahiti hosted the Games, many countries took the decision to boycott as a direct protest at French nuclear testing in the Pacific.[4] The Games, however, returned to near full regional participation in the following event in 1999, held on Guam.

According to the Pacific Games Council,[2] The South Pacific Games were established with a view to

"creating bonds of kindred friendship and brotherhood amongst people of the countries of the Pacific region through sporting exchange without any distinctions as to race, religion or politics."

The South Pacific Games were established to ensure the efficient promotion and development of sports amongst the South Pacific Nations and their peoples.[2]

With expansion and economic growth in the Pacific and Oceania region, the South Pacific Commission changed its name in 1998 to the Pacific Community.[2]

The "Pacific Games" as they are now to be styled are intended to be something of a physical representation of the Pacific Communities as they move forward from the first South Pacific Games in Fiji in 1963.[2]

Modern day games

The XII South Pacific Games held in Suva, Fiji saw for the first time the introduction of a full program of 32 sports.[5] That program included sports that are synonymous with the Pacific region as well as sports that have a limited participation and are generally not well established.[2]

A strong corporate sponsorship package a first for the games enabled the organizers to work with a free hand towards their aims of making the games a success. A colorful and effective media and publicity campaign generated much interest and enthusiasm among the public in Fiji. Schools and youth groups were involved in interactive programs such as the adopt-a-country program also a first for the games.[6]

The XIII Pacific Games were hosted in Apia, Samoa. They were the 13th to have been held since 1963. In contrast to the Olympic Games which are expected to generate income for the host nation,[7] the 2007 Pacific Games were expected to leave Samoa US$92million in debt, predominantly as a result of expenditure on large-scale infrastructure projects such as bridges and roads.[8] Potential debt positions notwithstanding, five nations (Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tonga and American Samoa) were expected to bid for the 2015 Pacific Games. The 2015 Pacific Games were ultimately awarded to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and follow the 2011 Pacific Games held in Nouméa, New Caledonia. However the rising cost (purportedly in excess of $1 billion) and the logistical burden of putting on the games continue to threaten countries' abilities to host the event.[9]

Pacific Games Council

The games governing body is the Pacific Games Council. The Games council flag is presented to the host nation of the next games at the end of every games. With expansion and economic growth in the Pacific and Oceania countries of the Pacific Islands it was now appropriate for the South Pacific Games Council to modernise and revise its charter in light of these changes in the region and the changing place of Sport in our society, thus the council adapted a new charter in 2007.

The current President of the Council is Vidhya Lakhan from Fiji.

Member associations

Membership of the Council will be granted to the internationally recognised National Multisport Organisation representing 22 island countries and territories who are members of the Pacific Community.[10] Pitcairn Island is the only Pacific Community member that is not member of the Pacific Council, whereas Norfolk Island is admitted as member of the Pacific Games Council although being no proper member of the Pacific Community.

15 are also member associations of the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) (all except Australia and New Zealand).[11]

In July 2014, the Oceania National Olympic Committees announced their members had voted to allow Australia and New Zealand to participate in four sports, on a provisional basis, in the 2015 Pacific Games. The risk of seeing the two wealthy, developed nations dominate the competition had previously prevented their inclusion. They would be allowed to send participants only in rugby sevens, sailing, taekwondo and weightlifting - sports where other Pacific countries had proved sufficiently competitive against them in the past.[12]

Nation Organisation Website
 American Samoa American Samoa National Olympic Committee (ASNOC) www.oceaniasport.com/amsam/
 Cook Islands Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) www.oceaniasport.com/cookis/
 Federated States of Micronesia Federated States of Micronesia National Olympic Committee (FSMNOC) www.oceaniasport.com/fsm
 Fiji Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) www.fijiolympiccommittee.com
 Guam Guam National Olympic Committee (GNOC) www.oceaniasport.com/guam
 Kiribati Kiribati National Olympic Committee (KNOC) www.oceaniasport.com/kiribati/
 Marshall Islands Marshall Islands National Olympic Committee (MINOC) www.oceaniasport.com/marshalls/
 Nauru Nauru Olympic Committee www.oceaniasport.com/nauru/
New Caledonia/ New Caledonia Le Comité Territorial Olympique et Sportif de Nouvelle-Calédonie (CTOS) www.ctos.nc
 Niue Niue Island Sports and Commonwealth Games Association (NISCGA) www.oceaniasport.com/niue/
 Norfolk Island Norfolk Island Amateur Sports & Commonwealth Games Association www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?assoc=3852&pID=2
 Northern Mariana Islands Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?assoc=3859&pID=2
 Palau Palau National Olympic Committee (PNOC) www.oceaniasport.com/palau/
 Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Sports Federation and National Olympic Committee (PNGSFOC) www.oceaniasport.com/png/
 Samoa Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) www.oceaniasport.com/samoa/
 Solomon Islands Solomon Islands National Olympic Committee (NOCSI) www.oceaniasport.com/solomon/
French Polynesia/ Tahiti Comité Olympique de Tahiti Nui (COPF) www.copf.pf
 Tokelau Tokelau Sports Federation www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?assoc=3861&pID=2
 Tonga Tonga Sports Association & National Olympic Committee (TASANOC) www.oceaniasport.com/tonga/
 Tuvalu Tuvalu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (TASNOC) www.oceaniasport.com/tuvalu/
 Vanuatu Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (VASANOC) www.oceaniasport.com/vanuatu/
Wallis and Futuna/ Wallis and Futuna Comité Territorial Olympique et Sportif des Iles Wallis et Futuna (CTOSWF) http://wallisetfutuna.franceolympique.com

Qualification for FIFA World Cup

For the first time in 2007, the Pacific Games formed part of the qualification to the FIFA World Cup (see also Football at the 2007 South Pacific Games).[13]

The Pacific Games were, until 2007, open for teams associated to the Oceania Football Confederation only, for example teams from the Federated States of Micronesia or Tuvalu or provisional members of the NF-Board such as Kiribati.[14]

South Pacific Games locations

Year Games Host City Country Dates Athletes Nations Sports Top Medalling
Nation
1963 I Suva, Viti Levu  Fiji 29 August - 8 September 700 13 10  Fiji
1966 II Nouméa, South Province  New Caledonia 8–18 December 1200 14 20  New Caledonia
1969 III Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Papua and New Guinea 13–23 August 12  New Caledonia
1971 IV Papeete, Tahiti French Polynesia/ French Polynesia 25 August - 5 September 14  New Caledonia
1975 V Tumon  Guam 1–10 August 12  New Caledonia
1979 VI Suva, Viti Levu  Fiji 28 August - 8 September 2672 19 18  New Caledonia
1983 VII Apia, Upolu  Western Samoa 5–16 September 2500  New Caledonia
1987 VIII Nouméa  New Caledonia 8–20 December 11  New Caledonia
1991 IX Port Moresby  Papua New Guinea 7–21 September 16  Papua New Guinea
1995 X Papeete, Tahiti French Polynesia/ French Polynesia 25 August - 5 September 12  New Caledonia
1999 XI Santa Rita  Guam 29 May - 12 June 3000 19  New Caledonia
2003 XII Suva, Viti Levu  Fiji 28 June - 12 July 22  New Caledonia
2007 XIII Apia, Upolu  Samoa 25 August - 8 September 5000 22 33 / New Caledonia
2011 XIV Nouméa New Caledonia/ New Caledonia 27 August - 10 September 4300 22 28 New Caledonia/ New Caledonia
2015[15] XV Port Moresby  Papua New Guinea 4–18 July
2019[16] XVI Nukuʻalofa, Tongatapu  Tonga

Pacific Mini Games

Since 1981 the region has also run the Pacific Mini Games (previously the South Pacific Mini Games) to enable smaller nations to compete against each other.

Also a multi-sport event it is a scaled-down version of the main Pacific Games and is similarly rotated on a four-year basis in the intervening years between the main games.

The following cities and nations have hosted (or will host) the Pacific Mini Games:

Year Games Host City Country Dates Athletes Nations Sports Top Medalling
Nation
1981 I Honiara, Guadalcanal  Solomon Islands 7–19 July 15  New Caledonia
1985 II Rarotonga  Cook Islands 31 July - 9 August 16 6  Papua New Guinea
1989 III Nukuʻalofa, Tongatapu  Tonga 22 August - 1 September 832 16 6  Western Samoa
1993 IV Port Vila, Efate  Vanuatu 9–16 December 15  Fiji
1997 V Pago Pago, Tutuila  American Samoa 11–22 August 14 11  Nauru
2001 VI Kingston  Norfolk Island 3–14 December 18 10  Fiji
2005 VII Koror  Palau 25 July - 4 August 20 12  New Caledonia
2009 VIII Rarotonga  Cook Islands 21 September - 2 October 21 15  Fiji
2013 IX Mata-Utu Wallis and Futuna/ Wallis and Futuna 2 – 12 September 22 8  Tahiti
2017[17] X Port Vila, Efate  Vanuatu
2021 XI Majuro, Ratak Chain  Marshall Islands

As with the main games, the cost of providing the necessary facilities and infrastructure is a concern to the region's smaller nations. In preparation for the 2009 Games in Rarotonga, despite having hosted the games previously, the local government considered diverting funds from a highway project, and secured a loan for US$10 million from the Chinese government to finance the building of a stadium.[18][19]

Sports

Note: The 12 required sports for the 2011 Games are bolded, save "Rugby" as it is not clear which of the 3 version (7s, league, touch) are required, if only 1 of the 3 is needed, or if all 3 are needed (touch is listed as the sport for 2011).

Cumulative medals table (after the 2011 Pacific Games)

Officially the final medal tally of the Games does not recognize a winner, regarding competition and fair play more highly.[2]

South Pacific Games medal count
Pos Country Total
1 New Caledonia/ New Caledonia 778 623 529 1926
2 French Polynesia/ French Polynesia 446 379 397 1222
3 Fiji Fiji 386 461 393 1240
4 Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea 344 330 344 1018
5 Samoa Samoa (includes Western Samoa) 167 129 146 452
6 Nauru Nauru 74 41 25 142
7 Guam Guam 59 88 115 264
8 American Samoa American Samoa 41 42 70 153
9 Tonga Tonga 38 54 73 164
10 Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna 22 35 71 128
11 Cook Islands Cook Islands 19 36 41 96
12 Federated States of Micronesia Federated States of Micronesia 13 15 11 39
13 Vanuatu Vanuatu (includes New Hebrides) 12 33 53 98
14 Solomon Islands Solomon Islands 10 42 72 122
15 Palau Palau 9 13 9 31
16 Northern Mariana Islands Northern Mariana Islands 4 12 12 28
17 Norfolk Island Norfolk Island 3 10 15 28
18 Tokelau Tokelau 3 2 1 6
19 Kiribati Kiribati (includes Gilbert) 2 10 15 29
20 Marshall Islands Marshall Islands - 3 6 9
21 Niue Niue - 1 6 7
22 Tuvalu Tuvalu (includes Ellice) - 1 1 2

2011 Pacific Games

The XIV Pacific Games were hosted in Nouméa, New Caledonia.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Pacific Games Council Official Website
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Pacific Games Council Charter
  3. ↑ Bikinis out, Shorts in at Beach Volleyball Pacific Radio News - Niue FM, 29 August 2007
  4. ↑ French tests: Opposition grows, article summarising the response to French nuclear testing in the Pacific from World Information Service on Energy retrieved 19 February 2007
  5. ↑ Sidsnet.org
  6. ↑
  7. ↑ Article by CBRE regarding increase to gross domestic product and real estate values as a result of the 2004 Athens Olympics
  8. ↑ "Games puts Samoa in debt". ABC Radio Australia. 2007-09-03. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  9. ↑ Paligaru, Clement. "PNG risks losing right to host 2015 Pacific Games". ABC: Radio Australia. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  10. ↑ Pacific Games Council - CHARTER - Constitution, Code of Conduct, Protocols, and Regulations adopted Apia, Samoa 14 May 2006 - As amended most recently in Wallis Island, 19 October 2012, Pacific Games Council, retrieved August 27, 2013
  11. ↑ Pacific Games Council - DIRECTORY 2013, Pacific Games Council, retrieved August 27, 2013
  12. ↑ "Aussies, Kiwis join Pacific Games: IOC pushes for Oceania to have a true continental games", Pacific Sunday News, 20 July 2014
  13. ↑ OFC 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP ROUTE VIA ASIA, Oceania Football Confederation Official site. Retrieved on December 20, 2006
  14. ↑ South Pacific Games 2003 (Fiji), Evidence of all matches in men's and women's football (soccer) tournaments on Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved on July 14, 2003 (Author: Andre Zlotkowski)
  15. ↑ PNG2015 - Papua New Guinea Wins, published by the Pacific Games Council, on 2009-10-08. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  16. ↑ "Tonga to host 2019 Pacific Games", Matangi Tong, 19 October 2012
  17. ↑ "CNMI loses Micro Games bid", Saipan Tribune, 30 December 2011
  18. ↑ Stadium and China loan on hold Cook Islands News Online, 12 September 2007
  19. ↑ "Stadium for Mini Games in Cooks gets go-ahead". Radio New Zealand. 11 March 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-03-11.

External links