Let the Games begin. Go, Fiji, Go

The 2019 Pacific Games gets underway tomorrow.

This is the 16th Games and the idea of the event was first mooted in 1959 by Dr A.H Sahu Khan who was one of Fiji’s representatives at a South Pacific Commission in Rabaul.

The idea was adopted and led to a meeting of nine Territories in Noumea, New Caledonia in March 1961, which awarded Fiji the honour of hosting the first games in 1963 (known then as the South Pacific Games).

In 1962, the South Pacific Commission founded the South Pacific Games Council.

Ever since then the multisport games have been held in 12 countries and territories within the region.

Initially the SPG were at three-year intervals although this was subsequently expanded to four following the Tumon Games in Guam.

The first objective of the Pacific Games Council, according to its Charter is: “To create bonds of kindred friendship and brotherhood among people of the countries of the Pacific region through sporting exchange without any distinctions as to race, religion or politics.”

From this humble beginning the games have come a long way overcoming many times of uncertainty as there were calls of scrapping it off.

The biggest test was three years ago when Tonga (who actually won the bid to host the 2019 Games) withdrew.

Attempts made by the Games Council like by president, Vidhya Lakhan of Fiji for the Tongan government to review their decision proved futile.

The council then called for interested countries wanting to host the event to apply- Tahiti and Samoa stepped in- the council then gave Samoa’s bid the nod and the rest is now history.

We’re grateful to the Samoan Government for keeping the spirit of the regional games alive. As competition starts we wish the Team Fiji contingent all the best as our sportswomen and sportsmen go out to do the country proud in their respective sporting events.

It’s going to be a mammoth task, if we are to top the medal tally at the end of the 2019 Pacific Games. The last time we topped the medal tally was in the first Games in 1963.

Ever since then the games have been dominated by New Caledonia right until 2015 when Papua New Guinea took over.

The focus for our athletes is to do their utmost to achieve their personal best, maintain that spirit of good sportsmanship and the rest will take care of itself.