Samoa ended two weeks of a great sporting fiesta with a superb closing ceremony at Apia Park on Saturday night. 

One in spirit, one in love, the words of the 2019 XVI Pacific Games theme song, were the silent yet most obvious with its impact echoed throughout Apia Park.

It was as if people from the 24 nations were present during the closing ceremony to support their teams with different flags waved by the crowd, showcasing the spirit of love and unity. 

Athletes and officials from 24 nations around the Pacific paraded following the flag bearers, holding their heads high as they were called to march around the tracks before assembling. 

While each country got their share of cheers from the crowd, perhaps one of the loudest and deserving applause were given to the volunteers, including caterers, logistics team and village volunteers, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the Games alive. 

With the lowering of the Samoan and the Pacific Games flags, it was an emotional moment as Samoa bids its farewell to its brothers and sisters from around the region, who had a taste of the Samoan culture and tradition in the short two weeks. 

The colourful costumes and angelic voices and songs sung by Samoa’s Pacific Games choir also brought a feeling of togetherness and amplified the theme “one in spirit”.

Everyone had a part to play in the ceremony, from the young to the old, and they did exceptionally well. The singing of the national anthem, to the dance and entertainment, it was nothing short of unity, and the fireworks that coloured the skies of Apia also portraying this. 

It will surely not be the last time these nations will be seeing Samoa, perhaps maybe not for the next eight to 12 years, but when they do, the same spirit of togetherness echoed last night will still be felt. 

Until 2023 where the people of the Blue Ocean Continent meet in the Solomon Islands, “Tofa Soifua Pacific”.