XVI Pacific Games opens in Samoa

The Samoa 2019 XVI Pacific Games officially opened on Sunday evening with a three-hour celebration of Samoan culture showcasing dance, legends and sport.

The Opening Ceremony at Apia Park Stadium in Samoa's capital city was broadcast internationally, featuring athletes from the 24 competing countries taking part in the parade of nations, some of whom performed short traditional dances wearing traditional dress.

Despite heavy rain earlier in the day, the weather remained dry for the evening, and the three-act ceremony attracted large crowds, some of whom arrived two hours before the event.

Set to be the biggest Pacific Games ever, over 5,000 athletes and team officials will be participating in 27 sports.

Andrew Minogue, Chief Executive of the Pacific Games Council advised that the Samoa 2019 XVI Pacific Games beats all previous Games participant records. The previous record holder was New Caledonia in 2011, with a total of 4,899.

Samoa has had to make rapid preparations for the Games having taken on the hosting when the Tongan Government withdrew from hosting the event in September 2017 claiming it could not afford to do so.

Minogue advised that the Pacific Games Office in Samoa has done a very good job in the very short amount of time it had to prepare.

He advised "the organising committee opened for business on 1st March last years so it's really only 16 months.

"I personally witnessed the team organising these Games working almost around the clock."

Rugby Sevens is set to be a big draw at the Games with the tournament to feature men's and women's Olympic champions Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and the hosts.

12 countries will compete over the two-day tournament at Apia Park Stadium on 12th and 13th July, with 10 mens teams and eight teams taking part in the women's competition.

Seeding for the draw was decided on rankings from the 2018-2019 World Rugby Sevens Series, the Oceania Sevens Championships and the 2017 Pacific Mini Games.

Australia and New Zealand are taking part in the Pacific Games for only the second time, the first having been in Port Moresby four years ago.

Australia is taking a team of 89 athletes to Samoa as part of their preparation for next year's Tokyo Olympics.

Images: Samoan weightlifter Feagaiga Stowers was the flagbearer for Team Samoa (top) and fans at last night's opening ceremony (below). Images courtesy of Roland Setu/Pacific Games News.