2015 Pacific Games opens in Port Moresby

Launched with an opening ceremony featuring 3,000 performers, the 15th Pacific Games has begun in Papua New Guinea capital of Port Moresby.

Opening Ceremony Artistic Director Airleke Ingram explained that the opening ceremony was s a celebration of Papua New Guinea's rich cultural history, while pointing to the country's future direction.

Explaining that the ceremony's theme was tied to the local region's hiri trade, an important cultural influence, Ingram stated "it's a really key part of our culture (with) a lot of songs, dances and tattoos.”

The ceremony pays homage to the trade relationship between the Motuan and Gulf Province people, and the role this played in shaping PNG.

Opening Ceremony Executive Producer Merryn Hughes said the event was probably the largest sing-sing ever in Papua New Guinea, stating "there are about 800 to 900 sing-sing performers.”

The sing-sing performers are part of a cast of 3,000 and almost 300 ceremony staff.

The host nation is being represented by the largest team PNG team, backed  the nation’s newly established high performance athlete program.

The manager of the program is Australian volleyball player and coach Aaron Alsop, who has a long association with PNG.

Alsop told the the ABC “we began with an empty warehouse, and within three-and-a-half months, thanks to the efforts of many PNG people, it was transformed into the country's first High Performance Centre.

"Now we're working with around 1,000 athletes a week in 28 sports, as well as 150 coaches and managers."

Alsop added that “the HP program is not just about the games, it's about capacity building, about giving local people skills that they in turn can pass on to others"And the focus is not just on Port Moresby, we want to look after the regions too, and ensure that the legacy continues, with or without overseas assistance.

"We want to get away from the idea that Pacific Island athletes just turn up, put their shoes on and play."

Regardless of how many gold medals the team manages to win, Alsop believes this is just the start of putting more PNG athletes, coaches and sports scientists on to the world stage.

With its opening ceremony held on Saturday 4th July, Pacific Games events began on Friday, and will continue until 18th July.

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30th March 2015 - WOMEN BEHIND THE DELIVERY OF PNG’S PACIFIC GAMES