PACIFIC GAMES 2019 - THE VOLUNTEERS

The Pacific Games came to a close over the weekend.  12 days of sporting competition between 24 Pacific island nations, nearly 5,000 athletes, multiple sports and the biggest games so far in its history.  

Samoa has been praised for the success of the event and the standard of hosting with the President of the Pacific Games Council saying 'These games far exceeded our expectations in terms of the number of athletes participating, the arrangements made, the excellent venues provided and the very high level of competition.'

Pacific Games Director James Smith also acknowledged the Games volunteers and told the Samoa Observer that the event would not have taken off without their hard work. 

There were about 2,500 volunteers in total ranging in age from Intermediate school age children to senior adults and were allocated to different sports.

“Without the behind the scenes work, the Games won’t exist. The Games will fall on its face so we’re really pleased with the amount of support from the Government and the Public Service Commission to make this Games happen," he said.

In the Closing Ceremony many of the volunteers who contributed to the running of the Games, from Catering and logistics, to helping at sporting venues received a huge cheer as they paraded in their uniforms.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi also thanked the volunteers in his closing address along with the performers at both the opening and closing ceremonies, ministries involved, organisers and sponsors.

Liufau Ulua Ioata Tanielu, a lawyer at the Office of the Attorney General was one of the many volunteers who had been excused from work in order to make up the required numbers of volunteers. He had offered his services through accepting a cabinet request for volunteers within Government Ministries & Corporations and was selected as one of the team leaders at Apia Park for 2 weeks with a team of 33.

He said of the experience "I must say the highlight for the games in my mind was when Ele Opeloge lit the tourch, how magnificent that significant moment was for Samoa and for her.  Personally, just experiencing being a volunteer is my highlight. The fun of interacting with people and knowing you have served with a smile in the name of family and Samoa."