Previous Story
Pacific Games delegates’ accommodation in hotels OK’d
Pacific Games Office and Accommodation Providers and the Samoa Tourism Authority members and officials pose for a photo after signing a memorandum of agreement for the accommodation of delegates to the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia. (Pacific Games Samoa Photo)
A memorandum of agreement between the Pacific Games Office and Accommodation Providers and the Samoa Tourism Authority was signed last Tuesday, ensuring enough rooms for athletes and officials participating in the 2019 Pacific Games.
Over 4,000 delegates are expected to travel to Samoa for the quadrennial meet that will run from July 7 to 20. They will be housed in various hotels under the Samoa Hotel Association in Apia, Upolu, and Savaii.
“The event marks a milestone in arranging accommodation for athletes and officials for next year’s XVI Pacific Games. In signing the MoA, accommodation providers confirm their commitment to solely accommodate participants of the Pacific Games next July. The MoA also outlines the hosting commitments of the accommodation provider, including specific items and services required for accommodation under the Pacific Games Charter and room rates,” the Samoa local organizers said in a statement,
“STA have worked together with SHA to finalize room rates based on triple share occupancy for hotels with breakfast included. In signing the MoA, hotels are expected to commit 100 percent occupancy of their property for the Pacific Games period,” the statement added.
Samoa organizers are giving the CNMI and other countries competing in next year’s event until December to determine their delegates (by numbers only in every sport). The Mariana Islands Basketball Federation, had earlier announced it won’t send men’s and women’s teams (5×5), citing financial challenges, but it may field squads in the 3×3. Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association may also pass up on the Pacific Games (indoor and beach) after Saipan was hit by Super Typhoon Yutu late last month.
With NMIVA and MIBF out, it’s now up to baseball, canoe, athletics, tennis, sailing, swimming, weightlifting, and rugby 7’s to represent the Commonwealth to the Pacific Games. These sports had earlier expressed interest in sending delegates to Samoa and may have to reaffirm their commitment in next month’s Northern Marianas Sports Association meeting. NMSA missed its November assembly, as Saipan has been focusing on the recovery efforts after Yutu slammed the island and Tinian.
