Melanesian Games on track for 2014

 THE Melanesian Games is on track for 2014. 

This was affirmed by Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation (PNGSF) acting executive director Peter Tsiamalili Junior and senior programme officer John Susuve, who attended the two-day meeting with the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Sports Committee in Port Vila, Vanuatu this week.

As head of sports in PNG, Tsiamalili said attending the high level meeting was to finalise and endorse the inauguration of the games to be hosted by FLNKS (The Kanak and socialist national liberation front) in New Caledonia.

“This is the second meet by MSG sports heads. This is aimed at coordinating all sporting policies and issues, including the facilitation and monitoring of the organisation,” Tsiamalili (pictured)said.

“We also discussed the guidelines and criteria for participation in the Games.” Tsiamalili said they considered a paper by the MSG secretariat on the terms of reference for a feasibility study to establish sports institutes being hosted in MSG countries.

“This will include their competitive advantages in the respective disciplines and the state of national infrastructure.”

Susuve, who is currently a member of the MSG Sports Committee, has wide knowledge and experience in organising such events.

He made reference to the special MSG leaders summit of 2011, where they offered FLNKS the opportunity to promote their cause through sports the developments taking place in New Caledonia as they prepare for the 2014-18 referendum.

“Allowing FLNKS to host the games demonstrates the collective support of MSG for the people of New Caledonia in their endeavours towards the decolonisation under the Noumea Accord,” Susve said.

He said the Melanesian Games endorsed five sports that will be officially announced at a later date.