Volunteers acknowledged for critical role in Games

By Talaia Mika 21 July 2019, 8:00PM

About 2,500 volunteers have been acknowledged of their hard effort in making the 2019 XVI Pacific Games possible.

Pacific Games Director Jack Smith told the Samoa Observer that the event would not have taken off without the work of volunteers, confirming the critical role they played in the success of the event.

He said the volunteers were allocated to the different sports and each of the sports also recruited their own volunteers. 

“Without the behind the scenes work, the Games won’t exist. The Games will fall on its face so we’re really pleased with the amount of support from the Government and the Public Service Commission to make this Games happen," he said.

"Because without them, there would have been 30 of us in the office and we can’t do all the work that these volunteers do for us."

About a thousand volunteers were sports specifics and each of the sports recruited their own volunteers as well. Majority of the volunteers are general volunteers who were split into 14 different areas and most of them came from the Public Services Commission.

Fusi Tauilelagi, a 54-year-old mother who worked as a general volunteer, said she always wanted to be part of the organising of such an event and the 2019 XVI Pacific Games offered that opportunity. 

“I always wanted to be part of the organising team to an essential event like this but I couldn’t get the chance to because I got distracted with different influences in life,” she said.

“Now that I got the chance to, I thought that I’d give it a try even if I’m old and especially, I’m setting an example for my children to chase after their dreams and there is no too late.”

“Thanks to Pacific Games which just made my dreams come true and I will forever cherish this in my heart and soul and that of my children who are also here tonight.”

By Talaia Mika 21 July 2019, 8:00PM

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