Count down begins
The National, Friday 4th of July, 2014
By HENRY MORABANG
TODAY, July 4, will mark exactly 365 days before Papua New Guinea hosts the 15th Pacific Games in Port Moresby from July 4-18, next year.
PNG bided to host this Games to coincide with its 40th Independence celebrations, an important milestone. The Pacific Games Organising Committee chairman Emma Waiwai said the committee was confident of delivering a .
“With 22 participating countries including Papua New Guinea and 28 sports in the two weeks of competition, it is an opportunity for everyone to embrace what will be a life changing event for athletes, Papua New Guineans and visitors,” Waiwai said.
“The 2015 Pacific Games brings with it a unique opportunity for us to stand proud and show the world what we can Papua New Guinea can achieve.”
Waiwai said over 4,000 athletes with team officials will participate in the various disciplines and some 3,000 volunteers to assist the organising committee deliver the Games.
The government has injected an estimated K1.7 billion into hosting the event with most of the funds going to infrastructure development and rehabilitation.
The organising committee has also employed people who have managed big sporting events such as the Commonwealth and Olympic Games. Waiwai said the infrastructure would not only be for the 2015 Games but beyond and the legacy plans to maintaining the venues were being developed for implementation after 2015.
Key points so far:
l The GOC office is established with the key management and over 40 staff now engaged.
l Transport and venue services contracts are in place.
l 14 Sponsors are in place with Bank South Pacific being the major sponsor, with more proposals for sponsorship being evaluated.
l Venues development is progressing well and all are expected to be completed and handed over to the Games Organising Committee three months before the July Games.
l The sports delivery contracts for the 28 Sports have been signed.
l Communication and power and electricity supply contracts to venues and facilities signed.
l Sports equipment purchasing is underway.
Other key milestones such as the announcement of the Games theme song, the caterer for the athletes village, the volunteer programme would be done this year.
Games mascot Tura has begun his provincial visits to schools, hospitals and communities.
The Pacific Games Council is expected to give the “All Systems Go” this weekend for the 15th Pacific Games next year.