Islands Business - Interview: VIDYA LAKHAN

Pacific Games Chairman: Leading the Pacific Games into new era

Peter Rees
At the last ever “South” Pacific Games in Apia last August, long serving Fijian sports administrator, Vidya Lakhan, was re-elected unanimously as chairman of the Pacific Games Council, an endorsement of his leadership qualities, decision-making ability and calm-headedness.

Vidya Lakhan... Samoa put on a damn good show.

But the next four years of his term promises to be the toughest of his reign as chief of the region’s biggest sporting event.

The four yearly event will now be known as just the Pacific Games when Noumea hosts the next competition in 2011.

But more importantly, he will preside over important changes to the council charter, particularly technicalities such as the current eligibility rules which continue to divide member nations and throw up challenges because of the growing number of overseas-born or based athletes now participating in the games.

The Games itself is also set for a modernising facelift to boost its profile and sponsorship opportunities as the cost of the games becomes an increasingly expensive undertaking for the host country. In an exclusive interview with ISLANDS BUSINESS, Lakhan tells PETER REES the future direction of the Pacific Games.

How well did Samoa perform in hosting the XIII South Pacific Games, and what were the highlights for you?

“Samoa put on a damn good show! I just could not get over how the Apia town was completely transformed in just the three to four months prior to the Games.

“It was magnificent how the government and the people of Samoa quickly got their act together with the sole objective of putting on a good Games.”

Looking back at the the Samoa Games, how did it compare to the Suva 2003 experience?

“It is difficult to compare the Suva Games with the Samoa Games. For starters, Samoa was the largest Games in terms of the number of athletes and the number of sports (33) that were offered on the sports programme. The Samoa Games, with the exception of a few sponsors, was totally funded by the Samoan Government. Whereas for the Suva 2003 Games, the government provided all the facilities, and the Games Organising Committee raised almost the total budget through sponsorship. This was the first time the organising of the Games was privately funded. The Suva Games were much more professionally planned and delivered compared to the Samoa Games.”

What areas are you looking at improving in future Games?

“We need to strengthen our sports delivery programme. We need to work closely with International Federations in this area. The IFs need to firstly understand the philosophy of the Pacific Games, and secondly, play their role in the development of their sports within the region and also assist in the delivery of their respective sports competitions Games time. I plan to enter into an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with each IF whose sports we offer in our Games to cover some of these aspects.”

Were there any technical issues from the games council meeting in Apia that will impact on future events and need to be dealt with?

“Like any other multi-sport events, the Pacific Games is getting large in terms of numbers of athletes and sports being offered. The council has agreed that in future, the maximum number of sports would be 28.

“Next, we will look at less popular events within some of the individual sports with the view of dropping them from our programmes. This will be done in consultation with the respective IFs.

“The Samoa Games was the first Games organised under our new Charter. We found out that there were a few areas which need fine- tuning. We have appointed a Charter Review Committee tasked to review the Constitution, Protocols and Regulations.

“This is to be done in consultation with all the member countries and IFs, and the Organising Committee so that we can make our charter user-friendly.

“Some of our members are not that happy with the new eligibility requirements. I am sure they will seek some modifications in that area.”

What direction do you hope to lead the Council in your new term as chair?

“Firstly, I see my election for a second term as an endorsement of the work we did in my first term in office. I also see it as an endorsement of the direction in which I am taking the Games Council.

“Secondly, some of the things we will do in the next four years: Establish our headquarters in Noumea and employ staff to help the council in carrying out its activities in accordance with our business plan. Implement our sponsorship and marketing strategies to make the Council financially secure.

“Enter into MOUs with International Federations to progress the development of youth in the region; and to improve the delivery of sports competitions at our Games. Get ourselves into a position where we can assist our member nations financially.”

Where is the future of the Games headed?

“The future of the Games is looking very bright. We are aware of the Games becoming too big. This is being addressed as I have mentioned before. There is now considerable interest in the Games in the Pacific Rim countries. We intend to capitalise on this interest and our Sponsorship and Marketing Committee is right now developing strategies to handle the media coverage, particularly TV coverage within the region and outside the region.”

Is the dominance of the French territories hurting the Games as a competitive arena for islands sports?

“Yes, we are aware of not necessarily the dominance of French Territories, but that of New Caledonia.

“The good thing is that the New Caledonians themselves are concerned and we have had preliminary talks on how New Caledonia can help our member countries particularly in the sports in which they are very strong. They want the gap bridged as much as we do.”

In terms of translating the success of the Games to a more broader global view such as the Olympics, is regional sports development on track?

“This is now being addressed and is a priority for the council. For the first time the Games Council has a business plan which has been endorsed by our General Assembly. We intend to, in line with our business plan, progressively develop the council into an organisation which will deliver first class Games in the region for the islanders living in the islands.

“The Games are to be delivered in a professional manner so as to attract regional and international sponsors.”