The History of the South Pacific Games
The South Pacific Games initiative was borne out of the South Pacific Conference in Rabaul, Papua New Guine in 1959. Dr A H Sahu Khan of Fiji was a strong advocate for the games. In 1962, the South Pacific Commission founded the South Pacific Games. The main objective is to create bonds of kindred friendship and brotherhood amongst people of the countries of the Pacific region through sporting exchange without any distinctions as to race, religion, or politics. The South Pacific Games was to ensure the efficient promotion and development of sports amongst the South Pacific nations and their people.
The First South Pacific Games
The first South Pacific Games was held in Suva, Fiji in 1963. Many of the competing island nations used either the British or French flags and anthems with the exception of Samoa. The official opening on Thursday 29th August 1963 at Buckhurst Park, was attended by 8,000 people. The Fiji Governor, Sir Kenneth Maddocks, declared the Games open and with a fanfare of trumpets and the unfurling of the Games flag, a Royal New Zealand Air Force Sunderland flew past.
The 770 competitors and officials from 12 countries marched into the arena, country by country. The largest group was the Fiji contingent with 187 athletes and officials. They stood side by side with the 12 member Gilbert and Ellice Island team. The Fiji Times editorial in describing the open day referred to it as "probably the greatest single gathering of Pacific Island peoples in one place at one time."
Today
Every four years the Pacific comes together in friendship to celebrate the South Pacific Games, a multi-sport event that is by its very design of and for the Pacific. The Games maintain a high standing within the Regional sporting calendar and a growing reputation for sporting excellence.
The variable and extensive sports program has been developed over forty years. The 11th South Pacific Games held in Suva, Fiji saw for the first time the introduction of a full program of 32 sports. That program included sports that are synonymous with the Pacific, thus widely supported within the region as well as sports that have a limited participation and generally not well established.
The event commands some 4,000 participants, 32 sporting events and 22 Pacific Island nations and Territories. Despite all the changes, the perpetual spirit of cultural friendship through sports remains the essence of the games.
Samoa now takes on the challenge of showing the rest of the world it can host the best South Pacific Games ever!
The South Pacific Games initiative was borne out of the South Pacific Conference in Rabaul, Papua New Guine in 1959. Dr A H Sahu Khan of Fiji was a strong advocate for the games. In 1962, the South Pacific Commission founded the South Pacific Games. The main objective is to create bonds of kindred friendship and brotherhood amongst people of the countries of the Pacific region through sporting exchange without any distinctions as to race, religion, or politics. The South Pacific Games was to ensure the efficient promotion and development of sports amongst the South Pacific nations and their people.
The First South Pacific Games
The first South Pacific Games was held in Suva, Fiji in 1963. Many of the competing island nations used either the British or French flags and anthems with the exception of Samoa. The official opening on Thursday 29th August 1963 at Buckhurst Park, was attended by 8,000 people. The Fiji Governor, Sir Kenneth Maddocks, declared the Games open and with a fanfare of trumpets and the unfurling of the Games flag, a Royal New Zealand Air Force Sunderland flew past.
The 770 competitors and officials from 12 countries marched into the arena, country by country. The largest group was the Fiji contingent with 187 athletes and officials. They stood side by side with the 12 member Gilbert and Ellice Island team. The Fiji Times editorial in describing the open day referred to it as "probably the greatest single gathering of Pacific Island peoples in one place at one time."
Today
Every four years the Pacific comes together in friendship to celebrate the South Pacific Games, a multi-sport event that is by its very design of and for the Pacific. The Games maintain a high standing within the Regional sporting calendar and a growing reputation for sporting excellence.
The variable and extensive sports program has been developed over forty years. The 11th South Pacific Games held in Suva, Fiji saw for the first time the introduction of a full program of 32 sports. That program included sports that are synonymous with the Pacific, thus widely supported within the region as well as sports that have a limited participation and generally not well established.
The event commands some 4,000 participants, 32 sporting events and 22 Pacific Island nations and Territories. Despite all the changes, the perpetual spirit of cultural friendship through sports remains the essence of the games.
Samoa now takes on the challenge of showing the rest of the world it can host the best South Pacific Games ever!
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