2017 Vanuatu Mini Games in jeopardy

VANUATU – The Pacific Games Association of Vanuatu is threatening to ask the Pacific Games Council to rescind its 2017 10th anniversary Pacific Mini Games hosting commitment if urgent action by the government is not taken to release promised funding.

Vanuatu’s government was the main instigator of a bid to host the Games in the country and had requested the Pacific Games Association of Vanuatu (VASANOC) to submit an expression of interest to host the Games as part of the bid process.

After Vanuatu won the bid in 2011, the host agreement was signed by the government with the Pacific Games Council and witnessed by VASANOC.

VASANOC says Vanuatu’s bid included the written commitment of support for the hosting of the Games by the Ministry for Sport and the Port Vila Municipality.

But the association says there’s been no release of funds from the government, and it is now considering notifying the Pacific Games Council of Vanuatu’s desire to withdraw as hosts of the 2017 Games.

The Vanuatu Daily Post says if this happens, it will be the first-time in the history of the Games that a host country has withdrawn from hosting the event.

Earlier, the Pacific Games Council said a lot of work remained to be done before Vanuatu was ready to host the 2017 Mini Games.

China started construction work on the main Korman site in Port Vila earlier this month, after 13 months of delays following Cyclone Pam.

The Pacific Games Council will meet with key officials next week, including the Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, prior to next month’s General Assembly.

The executive director of the Council, Andrew Minogue, said the signs of progress are positive but plenty still needs to be done.

“The money still has to come through to the organising committee and then they themselves have to ramp up their efforts and plans for the Games which are only 19 to 20 months away from now.”

Minogue said the Council’s General Assembly in Port Vila is a good opportunity for member countries to have a look around at what progress was being done to reassure them everything is on track.

The Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands has been confirmed by the Pacific Games Council as the host of the 11th Pacific Mini Games in 2021.

The CNMI narrowly lost out to Vanuatu for the right to host the 2017 Pacific Mini Games

Most of the sporting venues are already in place on Saipan.

- RNZI