Samoa expects up to US$11.7 million Commonwealth Youth Games cost

The Commonwealth Youth Games in September is likely to cost Samoa between US$7.8 million to US$11.7 million (19.2 million Samoan Tala to 28.9 million Tala) to host, with the Pacific nation’s preparations for Games currently progressing well.

The budget figure was shared in the last week by Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games Coordinator Vitolio Lui who told the Samoa Observer “there's no certain figure at this stage.

“But on the experience thus far, we expect that, even with our best efforts to keep costs to a minimum, these could be realistically between $20 and $30 million given the high standard and global scope of the event.”

While there has been little in the way of media publicity about preparations, behind the scenes training of athletes and the massive logistical preparations for such an event are on schedule, he said.

Lui added “four nations including Australia, South Africa, England and Scotland have so far sent advance teams to scout out the venues and the state of preparations and they have all been unanimous in their satisfaction and support.

“There is a cap of 1,000 athletes to compete in the Games with each member being allocated a quota.”

As of 1st March 2015, the deadline for athlete entries by numbers and events, 969 of the 1,000 were filled leaving only 31 places to reallocate. In addition, 21 teams have requested a total of 200 additional places between them.

As a result, Lui added “we expect a fully subscribed Games.”

Entries in the event’s nine sports are as follows:  Archery - 26; Athletics - 310; Boxing - 83; Lawn Bowls - 25; Rugby7s - 168 (eight men's teams and six women's teams); Squash - 58; Swimming - 157; Tennis - 61; and Weightlifting - 78.

According to Lui, most of the 168 international technical officials required to officiate at the nine sports during the Games have been identified and travel and accommodation arrangements together with accreditation details are now confirmed.

Lui continued “once the total number of the required volunteers is established and confirmed, we'll proceed to advertise and put them through a selection process and basic training.”

According to Lui, other priorities are “putting out to tender renovation and overlay works on the various sports venues - other than Apia Park Stadium, tennis courts and the aquatic centre (which are currently) being repaired and upgraded by the Chinese Government - to get them tailored and readied for the Games - including the Media centre and Dining Hall.”

The 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games, which started in 2000, will be the fifth Commonwealth Youth Games to be held.

All competitors in the Commonwealth Youth Games will be a minimum of 14 and maximum of 18 years old in the year of competition.

Click here for more information on the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games.

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