PNGOC Secretary General says Pacific Games will become competitive
The increased participation of Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific Games concept will see the Games become more competitive.
The rise of the Games competitiveness was evident in the recently held 17th Pacific Games, seeing Australia, a powerhouse in international sports finish off third in the Medal tally with 50 gold, 24 silver and 10 bronze.
Australia took part in 8 of the twenty-four sports that were on offer at the Honiara Games with a seventy five member contingent while New Zealand took part in 7 sports with a forty-six in its contingent.
Participation from these two giants in the Oceania region overshadowed many athletes from the Pacific Islands, including Papua New Guinea.
Concerns were raised by Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island nations who were unaware of the changes that were made by the decision makers at the top of the organization structure.
Revealing developments made at the top, PNG Olympic Committee Secretary General Auvita Rapilla, an executive member of the Oceania National Olympic Committee, said majority of the 24 member and associate members of the Pacific Games Council agreed to see transformation of the Pacific Games to become more like a Continental Games, and this will be more evident when Tahiti hosts the next games in 2027.
The onus for PNG and the other Pacific Island countries who have been taking part in this prestigious sporting event since its inception is to raise the bar and compete against quality athletes that come from Australia and New Zealand.
Mrs Rapilla further explained that these changes have also made the Pacific Games become an international ranking event and an Olympic qualification event.
“The Pacific Games is now at a level that its very competitive with Australia and New Zealand, and also French Territories like New Caledonia and Tahiti.”
“We have a lot to do to prepare our athletes properly and we have to treat the Pacific Games seriously.” Rapilla said