TEAM SAMOA GEARS UP FOR GLORY AT THE 2023 PACIFIC GAMES SEND-OFF
Acting Prime Minister Afioga, Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio during his keynote address this morning to Samoas athletes (Photo: Supplied)
In a spirited farewell address by Acting Prime Minister Afioga, Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio, Team Samoa received a heartfelt send-off as they prepared to embark on their journey to the Solomon Islands for the Pacific Games 2023. This momentous occasion, held on November 10, 2023, resonated with themes of challenge, celebration, and unity, mirroring the spirit of the Solomon Islands-hosted Pacific Games.
The Solomon Islands, the proud host of the 2023 Pacific Games, will mark the 7th country to host the event since its inauguration in 1963. With Honiara as the bustling backdrop, the Games will witness 5,000 participants from 24 Pacific nations, competing in 24 sports. Team Samoa, under the banner of SASNOC as the authorized Pacific Games Association, is poised to make its mark.
A total of 433 Samoan nationals will travel to Honiara through a mix of chartered and commercial flights originating from Samoa and Brisbane. The diverse Team Samoa contingent consists of 332 athletes, with 182 male athletes and 150 female athletes, spanning across the 24 sports in contention. Comprising 101 sports officials and PGA management, Team Samoa proudly reflects a gender balance of 55% male and 45% female athletes.
The Pacific Games will officially kick off on Sunday, November 19, in Honiara, with the closing ceremony set for Saturday, December 2, 2023. Notably, SOL23 will serve as a crucial qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics in several sports, adding an extra layer of significance to the competition.
As the athletes embark on this exciting journey, the nation eagerly awaits their achievements at the Pacific Games 2023, fostering a sense of unity and pride in the rich sporting heritage of Samoa.
