PORT MORESBY – The Pacific Games in Port Moresby came to a close on Saturday night with a surprise parting announcement that Papua New Guinea is planning to bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Confirmation of the bid came from governor-general Sir Michael Ogio at the closing ceremony.

“Can Papua New Guinea host a Commonwealth Games?” he asked the crowd at a packed Sir John Guise Stadium.

As the cheers went up, Sir Michael told the athletes and spectators that “Yes, together we can!”

“Papua New Guinea must bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games here in Port Moresby, and at venues around the country,” he said.

The excitement was not over for the locals as Pacific Games Council president Vidhya Lakhan announced the inaugural winners of the best male and female athletes of 2015.

The women’s award went to New Caledonia’s record-breaking multi-gold-medal-winning swimmer Lara Grangeon.

But the biggest cheer was reserved for the local hero Ryan Pini, who took the men’s award for his seven gold medals in the pool.

Port Moresby was Pini’s fifth and last Pacific Games, and he will now turn his attention to representing athletes on the Pacific Games Council for the next four years after being voted in by his peers.

His focus will be on the 2019 Pacific Games in Tonga, which have been cast into doubt recent days with the government in Nuku‘alofa claiming it does not have adequate funds.

But Sir Michael told the Tongan delegation at the closing ceremony in Port Moresby that PNG was ready and willing to assist Tonga to ensure the games went ahead.

And in taking on the Games mantle, Tonga’s Games Organising Committee president Lady Robyn Tu‘ivakano left her PNG audience in no doubt.

“You have left a legacy to be cherished by all of us here,” she said.

“His Majesty King Tupou VI and the government of the kingdom of Tonga are committed and deeply honoured to be hosting the 16th Pacific Games in four years’ time.

“Welcome to the Friendly Islands. Our people, our Games, God bless us all!”

Meanwhile, the Pacific Games Council says Vanuatu and Tonga will find it hard to live up to the standard of venues set by Papua New Guinea when they host the next two games.

The Port Moresby venues, especially the newly renovated Sir John Guise Stadium and the Taurama Aquatic centre, have been praised by both athletes and officials.

The council’s executive director, Andrew Minogue, says it’s unlikely the 2017 and 2019 games will be as lavish.

“The venues here are fantastic – they’re at a very very high international standard - certainly at a higher standard than we’ve had at previous Pacific Games.

“We’re speaking to Tonga and I think we all understand that when they deliver the Games in four years time – or any other host for that matter in the future – that in terms of the venues, at least, the standards here are not to be necessarily replicated”.