Athletics PNG has named a 48 strong team for the Pacific Games in Apia including eight athletes who will be defending their Gold medals from Port Moresby 2015. 

"The names of the 17 female 28 male and 3 Para athletes have been released following deliberations by the Justification Committee of the PNG Olympic Committee on both the nominations by Athletics PNG and after considering appeals."

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi is eyeing a gold medal performance at the upcoming Pacific Games in Apia later in the year.  

But first things first.

He realises that he has to earn to spot in the Samoa Archery Team to compete in the Games, first.

​The schedule and format for basketball has been finalised for the Samoa 2019 XVI Pacific Games.
 
Scheduled to run from 8 – 17 July, basketball is the first of 27 sports offered at the Pacific Games to release a schedule and format. 

The Minister driving Samoa's Pacific Games preparations, Loau Solamalemalo Sio, has defended the Pacific Games Office against criticism directed at its recruitment of key personnel - including the involvement of the brother of the Games Chief Executive Officer.  
 
The Minister of the Education, Sports and Culture who is also the  Pacific Games Chairman said members of the public who complained about the Office's recruitment policy are "cowards", pointing out that most of the skilled staff they have on board are working on a voluntary basis.  

​One door closes while another one opens. And this could be true for Pacific Games 400m sprint champion Nelson Stone.
 
The curtain has fallen down on his colourful sporting career.
 
As a six-year-old growing up in the suburb of Tokarara, Moresby North-west electorate in the National Capital District, Nelson like other youths turned to sports to keep them occupied.

Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs Baklai Temengil-Chilton revealed last week Palau’s intention to bid for the 2025 Pacific Games.
 
The bid is to host 12 sporting events including spearfishing and baseball. CNMI withdrew its bid to host the 2021 Games due to challenges related to the two super typhoons that devastated their country. 

Preparations for anti-doping controls during the Samoa 2019 XVI Pacific Games have “impressed” the chief executive officer of the Oceania Regional Anti-Doping Organisation.
 
Anti-doping testing, in collaboration with WADA, the World Anti-Doping Association, will be held throughout the Games, which are being held in Samoa from 7-20 July. Any Athlete that tests positive for a prohibited substance will be disqualified.

Preparations for sports facilities for the upcoming Pacific Games are well underway and on track. 
 
With less than three months until game day, construction workers are working round-the-clock to ensure the deadline is met. 
 
In an interview with the Minister of Education Sports and Culture, Loau Keneti Sio, he said the target is to complete all facilities by June to allow local athletes to familiarise themselves with the venues. 
 
So far, the construction works are on time as scheduled, he said.

Samoa 2019 chief executive Falefata Hele Ei Matatia said organisers are working to "make history" with 100 days to go until the Pacific Games in Apia.
 
The Games are due to take place between July 7 and 20 but the country was only confirmed as host in December 2017.
 
Apia stepped in following the withdrawal of Tonga who cited financial concerns.

The Pacific Games Council is confident an invite for Oceania countries to compete at the 2022 Asian Games does not pose a threat to the region's premier multi-sport event.
 
The Olympic Council of Asia confirmed at its General Assembly in Bangkok earlier this month that athletes from 17 Oceania nations would be eligible to compete in sports which will serve as joint Asia-Oceania qualifying events for the Olympic Games.