2015 Games can be rallying point

THE chief executive of the 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea says he believes the Games can have a transformative effect on the politics and infrastructure of the nation.
Peter Stewart, told Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat the preparations for a big event like the Games focused everyone’s attention on a common goal.
“You need all of the government agencies to be working together,” Stewart said.
“We’ve found certainly in other places that after the Games those groups say ‘This is fantastic’, and it actually encourages better communication among government agencies and government bodies well after the Games are gone.”
Stewart says the investment put into infrastructure, such as transport, can also have a lasting effect.
“The last Games in 1991 established a public transport system here in Port Moresby.
“We’re hopeful that this Games will leave a similar legacy for the next 20 years with improved services for the local community after the Games.”
The organising committee also hopes to build a 4000-bed hotel with a 12,000 meal-per-day restaurant, a fast food chain and a health system for 8000 workers and athletes.
Three major venue reconstructions also need to be done, with minor renovations to 20 more venues.
Stewart is confident the venues will be ready not only for the Games, but for pre-Games test events.
“We’re confident that we’ll be able to provide a really high level of service to our spectators, to our teams, officials, our workforce and of course our athletes,” Stewart said.
“If the enthusiasm of all the people that I’ve dealt with can be channelled into the delivery, we will have a fantastic Pacific Games.”