Team bosses in Samoa to check on PG prep

By Thomas Airey 02 March 2019, 12:00AM

The chefs de mission for countries competing at the Pacific Games in July have had the chance to view and give feedback on the facilities and services this week, and the experienced head of Papua New Guinea’s delegation is confident everything will be ready in time.

PNG chef de mission Emma Waiwai has seen the process from all sides, given she was chair of the 2015 Port Moresby Pacific Games Organising Committee.

She said having both those perspectives, she is confident Samoa will deliver, even if it takes until the last minute

“If I was a new chef or if I probably wasn’t part of an organising committee I probably would panic more than what I am right now.

“I can see things are in place already, and they will get there.

“I’m going away knowing that it’s not an issue, the venues will be ready.”

She and 12 other chefs de mission from the 24 nations that will compete at the games were taken through all of the functional areas for July this week, being able to give their approval on the processes or otherwise and raise any queries.

Waiwai said it was a constructive week.

“Sometimes it’s better to come and actually see things.

“Although I’m an experienced chef, every place is different.”

She said it was important to see how things will work on the ground, one example being accomodation for support staff for the boxing in Savaii.

“One of the CDMs asked, what if we want to stay there overnight, because if the boxers are into the finals, and if the finals are running into the evening, we’ll have to be there.

“They’ve got some VIP accomodation set aside, but maybe they don’t have enough.”

She said something she liked about the Pacific is the good relationship and sharing of ideas between the countries.

“Chefs are raising issues or asking questions that maybe I didn’t think of.”

Pacific Games Office chief executive officer Falefata Hele Matatia underlined the importance of this past week in the lead-up to July.

“For us to have direct one-on-one conversations with [the chefs de mission] to listen to their needs and their requirements.

“We’re pleased and very grateful to all the countries for paying their way to come meet.”

By Thomas Airey 02 March 2019, 12:00AM

Trending Stories

Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>