PGC expresses concern for Vanuatu 2017

Vanuatu Prime Minister Sato Kilman, fourth left, joins Pacific Games Council president Vidhya Lakhan, third left, and other members of the executive board after their meeting early this month in Port Vila. (Contributed Photo)

The Pacific Games Council, with still two years left, has expressed concern on the ability of Vanuatu to fulfill its obligation of hosting the 2017 Pacific Mini Games.

Construction of sports facilities were derailed after Cyclone Pam hit the South Pacific island nation in March this year.

PGC president Vidhya Lakhan presided over an urgent meeting early this month to get a progress report from the Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee and the Vanuatu Games Organizing Committee.

Lakhan, in a report emailed to member nations, said the “PGC has grown increasingly concerned on Vanuatu’s readiness to host the Mini Games since progress of their preparations were slow even after the hosting rights was awarded to them in September 2011.”

The PGC presented VASANOC and Vanuatu’s government with some steps that they need to take to help speed up their preparation for the 2017 Mini Games, which is set from Dec. 2 to 14.

The organizing committee moved the dates from summer 2017 to December after repairs and other improvement on the venues damaged by Cyclone Pam are facing some delay.

The PGC wants the organizing committee to present construction agreements, timelines for the Korman Stadium’s redevelopment by the Chinese government; and passage of legislation confirming VAN2017 Games Organizing Committee’s legal status.

Parliamentary approval of the VAN2017 GOC’s operating budget and the appropriation of its operating funds for 2015 are also needed in order for them to finally appoint a chief executive officer, who is an expert in handling the project, to lead the organization.

Korman Stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies, and where most of the games will also be held.

The PGC executive board, according to the report, said that if VAN2017 GOC failed to comply with the steps to be taken their assessment would be that the “Government of Vanuatu is now in default of its host contract obligations to financially underwrite the staging and organization of the 2017 Pacific Mini Games.”

Prime Minister Sato Kilman, however, assured the PGC that they remain committed of hosting the Mini Games and will comply with the steps suggested by the council.

VASANOC CEO Henry Tavoa, in a separate interview by Radio New Zealand, said “it would be disastrous if the [Mini] Games were taken away from Vanuatu.”

The PGC executive board and the 21 other Pacific Games Associations will visit Port Vila in May for the annual General Assembly and to also check on the progress of Vanuatu’s preparation.