Pacific Games opening at Apia Park on Sunday

By ROBINSON LEKA
THE stage is set for the opening ceremony of the 16th Pacific Games at the Apia Park Stadium in Samoa on Sunday.
The next two weeks will witness about 3,500 athletes from 23 nations and territories compete for medals across 28 sports.
Team PNG, one of the biggest contingents will see 363 athletes and 108 team officials and management staff (471 in total).
Head of the Papua New Guinea delegation in Samoa, Emma Waiwai has laid down the plan for Team PNG for the Games.
Waiwai acknowledged the Government and corporate sponsors for their support in helping Team PNG in their preparations.
She also challenged Team PNG to come out on top and defend their title as Games champions.
“Four years ago, the region saw how good Team PNG was,” Waiwai said. “We exceled in every sport and in hosting the biggest and best Games ever. It was our time to shine and we did it.
“PNG will be participating in 25 of the 28 sports during the Games
“Trust your training, believe in your skills, trust your teammates, your coaches, your managers and your officials.
“To my team (Team PNG), enjoy every moment, create networks and forge everlasting relationships.
“We go as one team, one dream to create history on foreign soil.”
Prime Minister James Marape encouraged the athletes, saying that their hard work and sacrifice would bear results in Samoa.
“We don’t expect miracles but we expect those who work to create miracles for themselves,” he said.
“Go and do well, fly the flag of your country. Your country is behind you.
“You will be uniting a nation of a thousand tribes, use this moment and make your mark in the Pacific.”
This is the third time Samoa will host the Games, after previously hosting the event in 1983 and 2007.
Basketball three-on-three and women’s rugby league nines have been added and will feature for the first time at the Games.
Australia and New Zealand have been invited to take part in eight codes at the Games.