26 Feb 2019

Sport: More accommodation providers approved for Pacific Games

9:41 am on 26 February 2019

The Samoan government has approved 15 accommodation providers to house international technical officials and delegates during the Pacific Games in July.

The total worth of all contracts is $US520,000 (1,355,280 Samoan Tala) with 11 of the hotels based on Upolu and four on Savai'i.

Hotel Millenia in Apia will host technical officials during the 2019 Pacific Games.

Hotel Millenia in Apia will host technical officials during the 2019 Pacific Games. Photo: Hotel Millenia

The Government said the hotels were selected based on the number of officials scheduled to attend the Games, the location and proximity of the hotel to Games venues and dining hall facilities, and their overall suitability in the transportation plan for the event.

Accommodation remains a pressure point for Pacific Games organisers, little over four months out from the start of competition in Apia.

The majority of athletes will base themselves at the Methodist Church of Samoa's Faleula compound but a Tahitian delegation expressed concerns earlier this month that the facilities will not enable athletes to perform to their best.

Methodist Church, Faleula, Samoa.

Methodist Church, Faleula, Samoa. Photo: Facebook / Alesi Kurisaru

Pacific Games Chef de Missions to visit Apia

Chef de Missions from across the Pacific are in Samoa this week to meet with officials from the Games Organising Committee.

The three day summit begins on Wednesday and will include presentations from the Pacific Games Office on a range of topics, including the sports, medical and anti-doping programs, sponsorship and branding, accommodation and the athletes village, as well as services such as catering, transportation, security, freight, accreditation, ceremonies and visa requirements.

Samoa's Sports Minister, Loau Keneti Sio.

Samoa's Sports Minister, Loau Keneti Sio. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Chairman of the Pacific Games Organising Committee, Loau Keneti Sio, hopes that the meeting will be a fruitful and successful one.

"Our Organising Committee is putting together a comprehensive program for the Chef de Missions gathering this week," he said.

"With just 131 days to go, our hope is to inform and familiarize them with all the services that will be made available for them and their athletes at the games.

"The Chef de Mission seminar is one of the key events ahead of the main event in July and we are extremely excited to showcase Samoa's progress thus far."

Chef de Missions will also receive a full tour of the Games Village and the sports competition venues.

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