Samoa will host the 2019 Pacific Games.
A statement from the Pacific Games Council said the Executive Board of the Pacific Games Council has unanimously approved the awarding of the hosting rights for the 2019 Pacific Games to the Pacific Games Association of Samoa.
Offers to host came from Samoa and Guam after Tonga withdrew as host.
The PGC executive inspected facilities in both countries however a budget agreement between Guam’s governor and legislature could not be met in time.
The PGC says it will assist Samoa in every way possible in the short time available for preparations.
It thanks the Prime Minister and Government of Samoa for its commitment to support the Samoa PGA and fully underwrite the cost of staging the 2019 Pacific Games.
President of the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee, Fepuleai Patrick Fepuleai, welcomed the good news.
He said after the evaluation and inspection by the PGC representatives in Samoa,” I was quietly confident that we will get the Games.”
He said SASNOC was only given 30 days to prepare its bid but from recent experiences with the 2009 Games plus the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games, they were able to draw on that.
He was also appreciative of the Samoa Government’s support, without which SASNOC can never host such events.
The proposed dates for the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa are July 8-20.
