Pacific Games 2023:
The 2023 Pacific Games have officially come to a close with a spectacular night of colour and music,
ending a fortnight of incredible sporting achievements from across the Pacific Islands.
From underdog victories to clean medal sweeps, from Solomons Island legend Jenly Wini taking home three gold
on the very first day to Samoa’s Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali standing up to block Australia from achieving boxing domination, the 2023 Games have seen some incredible moments.
A stream of volunteers paraded into the packed National Stadium
ahead of the ceremony’s official start to acknowledge their hard work in making the Games possible,
followed by individual flag-bearers representing the 24 participating nations and territories.
Finally, a mass of athletes trooped out onto the field to loud cheers, with team Papua New Guinea leading the charge;
a riot of colour and noise that filled the stadium floor.
Hosts Solomon Islands were the last to enter, with the stadium erupting in cheers and roars.
Dancers, a large figure made out of plastic – symbolic of the need to protect our oceans
and vocalists weaved through the sitting athletes and volunteers before Jenly Wini
and Taniela Rainibogi were named best female and male athletes of the Pacific Games.
Ryan Pini was also named as the athletes’ representative to the Pacific Games Council.
Louis Provost, President of the Olympic Committee of French Polynesia, said Tahiti would be honoured to host the next Pacific Games in 2027.
“Tahiti will be your welcoming land during the next Pacific Games,” he said.
“Rest assured that we will make sure you feel at home… the Polynesian hospitality and the Polynesian kindness of its people.
“Today we say goodbye with hearts full of gratitude …
see you in Tahiti in 2027, where we will continue to rise together the history of the Pacific united in sports.”
Tahitian athletes then performed a war dance onstage, issuing the challenge to fellow Pacific nations and territories: See you in four years.
Vidhya Lakhan spoke next, saying Honiara had “delivered a Games of which every Solomon Islander should be proud”.
“We came from all corners of the Pacific to give credence to the purpose and objectives of these Games as promulgated by our forefathers when they established and hosted the first Pacific Games in Suva, Fiji in 1963,” he said.
“These games have been a gift from them to us, the future generation of Pacific Islanders.
For us to meet, create bonds of kinship, friendship and brotherhood among the people of the Pacific region
we continue to live the dreams of our forefathers and deliver on the purpose of these Games.
“The 17th Pacific Games was no exception. The government and the people of Solomon Islands,
under the leadership of their Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, by hosting these Games,
not only united and strengthened the bond between the people of Solomon Islands, but also the people of the Pacific.”
Source: ABC
