Fiji, Guam, PNG eye 2031 Games
“I’ve heard that Fiji, PNG and Guam want to host (2031 Pacific Games). We will be sure on that when the delegates do the voting on which country, they would vote for.”
Wednesday 22 November 2023 | 15:51
Fiji women’s football striker Cema Nasau tries to beat two Vanuatu defenders during their Sol2023 Pacific Games group opener at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands on November 21, 2023. Photo: Sereana Salalo
Fiji should expect tough opposition in its bid to host the 2031 Pacific Games.
This was after SUNsports was told Papua New Guinea and Guam are also bidding to host the 2031 Games. When approached yesterday in Honiara, Pacific Games Council president Vidhya Lakhan confirmed it.
He said the Council would be meeting this Sunday at the Sol2023 Pacific Games venue and it is an opportunity for them to inform the delegates on the way forward.
“The important aspect for us is the expression of interest for countries wanting to host the 2031 Pacific Games,” Lakhan said.
“Those countries who intend to host should raise their hands and we will start talking with them.
“I’ve heard that Fiji, PNG and Guam want to host (2031 Pacific Games). We will be sure on that when the delegates do the voting on which country, they would vote for.”
Fiji last hosted the Pacific Games in 2003 while PNG hosted it in 2015 and Guam in 1999.
Lakhan added that there have been a lot of positives generated from hosting the Olympics of the Pacific; this is a boost in terms of sports tourism. Also, the support rendered by developed countries to build infrastructures such as stadiums, sports complex, roads and so on.
“We will review the Games contract. For six months we will visit the bidding country, meet with political leaders, talk to people if they will support it. After the visit we will do the report.”
The bid award will then be presented during the Pacific Games’ annual general meeting next year.
Lakhan said nine different cities in six countries and territories have hosted the Pacific Games. Four countries have hosted the games three times: Fiji (1963, 1979, 2003), New Caledonia (1966, 1987, 2011), PNG (1969, 1991, 2015) and Samoa (1983, 2007, 2019).
Tahiti, who hosted in 1971 and 1995, will become the fifth country to host the Games for the third time in 2027.
The United States territory of Guam has hosted the Games twice in 1975 and 1999.
The Solomon Islands is the seventh country to host the event apart from the regulars.
Only six countries have attended every edition of the Pacific Games: Fiji, French Polynesia (Tahiti), New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
Meanwhile, New Caledonia dominated 13 out of the 16 Pacific Games, two for PNG and Fiji with one.
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