PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (PINA Nius Online) — Only one contestant from each of the South Pacific island states and territories will be allowed to compete in the upcoming Miss South Pacific Pageant.<\/p>\n
The decision was reached by the South Pacific Pageant board in a meeting held in Apia, Samoa.<\/p>\n
Some island nations are criticizing the contest because Samoans dominate the pageant, making up more than half of the contestants vying for the regional title.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, a tentative schedule of the 2001 Miss South Pacific Beauty Pageant was set. The event will take place at the end of October in Samoa.<\/p>\n
Six islands have confirmed their participation in the 2001 pageant.<\/p>\n
The board will meet again in September to finalize the planning for the pageant.<\/p>\n
Among the issues raised in the meeting was the membership fee for each of the island states and territories that are board members. The board concluded that each will pay a $1,000 membership fee. The fee will go into effect in November.<\/p>\n
The delay in implementing the fee is to give the member countries a chance to raise the necessary funds.<\/p>\n
Money collected from the fees will be used for the reigning Miss South Pacific to help pay her participation in regional and world events, and also to off-set costs in the promotion of the pageant.<\/p>\n
Bids to host the 2002 pageant will be reviewed during the September board meeting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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