{"id":402211,"date":"2023-11-21T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-21T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=402211"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Pacific-Games-opening-ceremony-unites-lights-up-Honiara","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Pacific-Games-opening-ceremony-unites-lights-up-Honiara\/","title":{"rendered":"Pacific Games opening ceremony unites, lights up Honiara"},"content":{"rendered":"

HONIARA, Solomon Islands\u2014<\/strong>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.<\/p>\n

It was a grand gesture of welcome the over 100 strong CNMI delegation won\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2014with the crowd cheering and waving each country\u2019s flag.<\/p>\n

The parade ended with the host nation\u2014the Solomon Islands, whose huge delegation overflowed onto the field in a sea of yellow, blue, and green\u2014and were met with cheers and applause that lasted for more than 15 minutes.<\/p>\n

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\u2014three paddles in their country\u2019s colors.<\/p>\n

Then, a paddle-shaped baton made its way around the track\u2014passed by Solo the turtle, the 2023 Pacific Games mascot\u2014and 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<\/p>\n

In his remarks, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare recognized the 2023 Pacific Games Council who worked with the Games Organizing Committee, \u201cto create a memorable event that reflects the solidarity of our people, of our country, and our region.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPreparing 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,\u201d said Sogavare.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s turn on stage.<\/p>\n

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\u2019t waste time taking photos and video of the event.<\/p>\n

After the opening ceremony, CNMI chef de mission Nick Gross said, \u201clast 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!\u201d<\/p>\n

The CNMI\u2019s Mark Toves, who was recording the team\u2019s parade, said that the opening ceremony was an \u201camazing experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI’ve been to three games\u2014the 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.<\/p>\n

He shared that he and his wife, Catherine\u2014who is the men\u2019s national soccer team\u2019s assistant manager\u2014first met in the 1999 South Pacific Games on Guam as she represented the NMI women\u2019s volleyball team, and while he represented in the men\u2019s fast pitch softball team. \u201cNow 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Va\u2019a\u2019s Dayna Macaranas was asked what she thought of the ceremony and said that \u201cit 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\u2014from the performances, the speeches, and the passing of the torch or paddles\u2014it was an honor to be there and watch.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said her favorite part was being able to represent the CNMI, and \u201cjust 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

With how she felt as she and the team crossed the field and went on stage, she said, \u201cI 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\u2014and the fact that they were given flags of the CNMI\u2014that was really cool to see.\u201d<\/p>\n

As of 5pm Saipan time, the CNMI currently was third in the medal standings with 1 gold, two silvers, and 1 bronze medal\u2014all courtesy of weightlifter Ray Santos (see main story)<\/strong><\/em>. 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.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Flagbearer Isaiah Aleksenko leads the CNMI delegation through the field of the National Sports Stadium in Honiara during the four-hour opening ceremony of the 2023 Pacific Games last Sunday.<\/p>\n

-LEIGH GASES
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