Pacific Games opening ceremony unites, lights up Honiara

HONIARA, Solomon Islands—In a spectacular display of culture, unity, song and dance, and color, the Solomon Islands officially opened the 2023 Pacific Games last Sunday evening at the Solomon Islands National Stadium.

It was a grand gesture of welcome the over 100 strong CNMI delegation won’t soon forget as the stadium was packed with over 10,000 spectators, dignitaries, athletes, officials, and performers who bore witness to a sharing of culture and official opening of the Games.

Samoa, who hosted the 2019 Pacific Games, led the parade of teams into the middle of the field, as 23 other nations followed for their turn in the spotlight—with the crowd cheering and waving each country’s flag.

The parade ended with the host nation—the Solomon Islands, whose huge delegation overflowed onto the field in a sea of yellow, blue, and green—and were met with cheers and applause that lasted for more than 15 minutes.

Over 3,000 performers then took the field and held everyone captive for an hour as they showed off their cultural costumes and dances, culminating to create the 2023 Solomon Islands Pacific Games logo—three paddles in their country’s colors.

Then, a paddle-shaped baton made its way around the track—passed by Solo the turtle, the 2023 Pacific Games mascot—and was placed into a waterfall that officially signaled the start of the Games, which will be on for the duration of it. The ceremony ended with a bang as a 30-minute firework show sent the athletes off

In his remarks, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare recognized the 2023 Pacific Games Council who worked with the Games Organizing Committee, “to create a memorable event that reflects the solidarity of our people, of our country, and our region.”

“It inspired countless thousands and villages in the farthest reaches of our country. Time and time again it has shown us the power of sports and games. We aspire to elevate, to give joy to our people as proud hosts of the 17th Pacific Games,” he said.

“Preparing for these Games has been an experience of a lifetime. We have lived the theme of the 2023 Pacific Games. We faced multiple challenges; we celebrated our resilience; and through the games, we united our country. It is now our honor to hand the games over to the athletes of the Pacific. Challenge yourself, celebrate our Pacific diversity, and unite our region. May God bless and protect you as you participate in the 2023 Pacific Games,” said Sogavare.

Before making the way to the stadium, each nation lined up in alphabetical order at a nearby training center and walked in order as a group before 7pm. At the stadium, the delegation was mistakenly led to the wrong area and had to double back behind New Caledonia.

The CNMI delegation was a stream of blue and was led by flagbearer and national team swimmer, Isaiah Aleksenko, who was interviewed by the local media just before CNMI’s turn on stage.

After the CNMI walked across the field, they had front row seats to the action as they were seated alongside the track, facing the performances, and didn’t waste time taking photos and video of the event.

After the opening ceremony, CNMI chef de mission Nick Gross said, “last night’s opening was an incredible experience for Team NMI, the Solomons, and all in attendance! There were some long waiting times as approximately 3,500 athletes and officials were staged for the event, but the crowd and surrounding viewers were truly electric! I don’t recall the exact number of people that took part in the performance but it was massive! The choreography along with the cultural relevance was spectacular! Congrats to the entire organizing committee along with the legacy that the Games will have on the Solomon Islands!”

The CNMI’s Mark Toves, who was recording the team’s parade, said that the opening ceremony was an “amazing experience.”

“I’ve been to three games—the 1997 Micronesia Games in Palau, 1998 Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia, and 1999 South Pacific Games in Guam. Opening ceremonies will touch your heart because you’re representing your country’s essential moments, reflecting on your beliefs, hopes, traditions, culture, and spirituality. A ceremony can help to show people they are united as one with other Pacific islanders.

He shared that he and his wife, Catherine—who is the men’s national soccer team’s assistant manager—first met in the 1999 South Pacific Games on Guam as she represented the NMI women’s volleyball team, and while he represented in the men’s fast pitch softball team. “Now 24 years later we both get to witness our two sons, Merrick Toves and Markus, participate in XVII Pacific Games in football (soccer). I will forever cherish this moment.”

Va’a’s Dayna Macaranas was asked what she thought of the ceremony and said that “it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Solomons did a really good job at hosting all the athletes, the guests, and the dignitaries that were there—from the performances, the speeches, and the passing of the torch or paddles—it was an honor to be there and watch.”

She said her favorite part was being able to represent the CNMI, and “just wave our flags or show that we are here and we’re here to represent and we’re here to compete. It’s something that you don’t normally get to do.”

With how she felt as she and the team crossed the field and went on stage, she said, “I felt very prideful, but at the same time humbled because it’s nice to see that all these people showed up and they came out—and the fact that they were given flags of the CNMI—that was really cool to see.”

As of 5pm Saipan time, the CNMI currently was third in the medal standings with 1 gold, two silvers, and 1 bronze medal—all courtesy of weightlifter Ray Santos (see main story). Host nation Solomon Islands is atop the medal ladder with 3 golds, 5 silvers, and 2 bronze medals. Marshall Islands is second with 2 golds and 1 silver. Australia with 1 gold and Nauru with 3 bronze medals make up the rest of the nations that so far have won medals in the 2023 Pacific Games.