By Renate Rivers

Prior to the opening ceremony for the XIVth Pacific Games, the official theme “Pacifique Attitude�? was prevalent in the joyful faces of proud Pacific athletes.

The beaming smiles of excited first-time competitors and the knowing looks of seasoned veterans illustrate perfectly the history of what the Games has come to mean to the three groups of Pacific peoples from Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.

Pacific Games
In 1959 during the 4^th conference of the South Pacific Commission in Papua New Guinea, Dr Sahu Khan from Fiji and Pierre Issamatro a Caledonian delegate, shared the idea of organizing sports events gathering all the island countries of Oceania with the exception of Australia and New Zealand.

The Pacific Games was officially born in Noumea in 1961, with the formation of the Pacific Games Council (PGC). The PGC is comprised of the Olympic Committees of the 22 countries/members of the Pacific Community; of the representatives of the international or Oceania federations and of 5 representatives of the Organizing Committee for the following Games. It gathers each year and is in charge of editing the Pacific Games Charter; of controlling the process of the Games and of electing the organizing countries.

Fiji hosted the first-ever Games in 1963, with New Caledonia going on to host in 1966, 1987 and now 2011.

The National Olympic Committee of New Caledonia (CTOS) started preparations 4 years ago, and have provided impressive quarters and amenities for all athletes in the Games Village (the campus of the University of New Caledonia, commandeered for the duration of the Games).

For the first time in Games history, 4 para sports have been included and venues for the games have been de-centralised. CTOS have opted for a nation-wide approach where events will be held in different parts of the country spread out over 34 different venues.

An army of volunteers will be on hand to ensure the 15 days of competition run smoothly and to schedule.

In the days leading up to the start of competition, the city of Noumea is bustling with activity as 5000 athletes and officials find themselves on the cusp of sporting glory or possible disappointment.

Samoa is competing in 19 different sporting disciplines -

Powerlifting
Va’a
Archery
Tennis
Weightlifting
Squash
Volleyball
Judo
Rugby Sevens
Boxing
Basketball
Golf
Athletics
Bodybuilding
DTL Shooting
Taekwondo
Beach Volleyball
Triathlon
Sailing – Laser

PM meets Team Samoa
The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi met with Team Samoa Friday night, on the eve of the opening ceremony for the XIVth Pacific Games, hosted by New Caledonia.

He gave a rousing speech to the athletes in a lecture room at the University of New Caledonia – extolling the virtues of hard physical preparation and commitment to prayer and self-sacrifice.

“Do not take your roles here at these Games lightly. You must take it seriously and focus on the job at hand.

“You should remember the weight of the history that you carry when you are representing your country… our people brought the good word to many of the countries and ancestors of the athletes you will face. You should not cower or give in to anyone and you should never give up.�?

The Prime Minister, a competitor in the Archery competition at the 2007 Games in Samoa, advised the Team to focus on their technique.

“In terms of what to say to you to prepare for your competition – there are no more words.
“This is the time for you and your coaches to go over your technique – fine tune what you already know you must do.

“At this time, I recall the words of an Olympic Gold medalist who was asked what was going through his mind in the final moments before clinching the Gold.

“He said he wasn’t thinking about winning or the gold, he was focused on getting his technique right. He knew that if he did everything right, he would surely win, so he did not dwell or get nervous thinking about the medal.�?

“Pray for divine guidance and support. God looks favorably on those who work equally as hard in their physical and mental preparation as they do with consistent prayer.

The team’s spiritual leader Rev. Ieremia Leautuli spoke with a similar theme of using one’s talents wisely and for good.

“For all that you achieve and all that you can do – you must ensure that you use your gifts wisely so that what you leave behind has a positive and long-lasting effect on those who follow in your footsteps.�?

The Prime Minister cautioned against those who fail to acknowledge the role of prayer in preparation.

“God is the great equaliser and will change the fortunes of any athlete in an instant. This has been proven many times in competitions where the winner is assured and then at the 11^th hour, victory is snatched from his or her grasp by an act of God.�?

Tuilaepa’s message was clear, pray for divine providence and sacrifice personal pleasure in pursuit of sporting supremacy.

Samoan flag raising ceremony

The official flag-raising ceremony for Samoa took place yesterday morning within the Games Village, where our athletes met with and sought the blessings of representatives of the traditional Melanesian land-owners of New Caledonia.
Team Samoa’s Chef de Mission, Sam Te’o made formal introductions on behalf of the delegation before exchanging ceremonial gifts of fabric, tobacco and Pacific Francs with the Mont Dore natives. A special gift of a tanoa bowl was also presented to the Mont-Dorians, and in return a carving of a traditional hut was presented to the Samoan team.

These gifts, as acknowledged by both countries, serve to renew the links of friendship already forged in meetings past, with special mention of Samoa’s successful hosting of the 2007 South Pacific Games.

French President Sarkozy visits Games Village
In Noumea for the opening of the Pacific Games, President of the Republic of France Nicolas Sarkozy took a walking tour of the Games Village and shook hands with many of the athletes in the hours leading up to the opening. 
Three of the participating countries are territories of the French Republic – New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna and Tahiti (of French Polynesia).

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