Host wants to farewell SPG in style.

Peter Rees
With bulk of the venues now built, Samoa is confidently heading down the home straight in its preparations to host the 13th South Pacific Games next year. Yet the feeling in Apia is not exactly one of wild anticipation.

The games are more than likely to be discussed in relation to the upcoming general elections.

The entire country has immersed itself in election fever and the games have not escaped the firing line of the main opposition party.

The Samoa Democratic United Party has widely criticised the government approach to Samoa hosting the games. While some of their arguments bear some truth, the worst appears to be behind them now.

Since winning the rights to host the event at the Norfolk Island Mini Games in 2001, Samoa has overcome delays that threatened to derail preparation efforts and so far kept to schedule with the construction of venues.

The South Pacific Games Authority (SPGA), set up by the Samoan government to run the games and led by their architect CEO Fonoti Etuale Ioane, also resolved its lingering differences with the umbrella sports body, Samoa National Olympic Committee and Sports Federation. The dispute was well publicised in the local media and conjured up bad memories of the infamous sports feuds of the late 1990s.

In recent months however, stakeholders have shown surprising unity in working together along with government to ensure the success of the games.

But the viability of the facilities being built is the latest worry.

While the government is busy preaching the virtues of investing in Samoa's youth and the many economic spin-offs from hosting such sporting events, critics say the government is being over extravagant in its quest to outdo Fiji, the last hosts of the games in 2003.

The T$35 million tala Aquatic Centre funded by China has borne the brunt of the criticism.

Workers from China made sure the giant structure was completed in a year. A team of experts has been left behind to train local staff.

The Aquatic Centre is easily the crown jewel of Samoa's sporting facilities. It was the most expensive venue to build by far but ranks now as one of the best facilities of its kind in the region.

It caters for both indoor and outdoor swimming with a total of four pools: a 50-metre Olympic-size eight lane competition pool, an Olympic-size square indoor Diving Pool, a 50-metre outdoor warm-up pool, and an outdoor children's recreational pool. The Aquatic Centre will seat up to 1300 spectators.


White elephant

But some locals are worried it will become a 'white elephant' after the games because of the anticipated high maintenance costs. The issue has been debated furiously for months but refuses to go away.

Just days after the grand opening in January, a disagreement between the SPGA and the Samoa Swimming Federation over the use of the centre was reported. To make matters worse, when the centre opened to the public, there were complaints over the high prices. The lack of public transport access close to the centre was also lamented.

Had this happened somewhere else, no doubt the spin doctors would be in damage control mode. But in a country where public concerns are often catalogued, filed away in a long queue, and conveniently forgotten about, organisers have chosen to sidestep the matter, let government do all the talking, and moved on.

Renovations to the Apia Park sports complex are now the main focus of construction efforts in 2006. The complex will be the official venue for the opening and closing ceremonies in 2007. Again, China will be funding the renovations which include increasing the seating capacity at the main stadium, upgrading the netball courts to an indoor facility, refurbishing the national gymnasium and improving the lawn bowls, tennis venues and surrounding grounds.

The over 3000 athletes and officials that are expected to congregate in Samoa will be accommodated mostly at the National University of Samoa and the Institute of Technology, formerly known as Samoa Polytechnic, in Vaivase-tai, a few minutes away from Apia.

A new golf course was also given the green light to be built a stone's throw away from Faleolo International Airport and adjacent to the new Aggie Grey's Resort. When completed later this year, it will become Samoa's third golf course. Another indoor gymnasium is also near completion at the Faleata Sports Complex.

The SPGA also switched to sponsorship mode in the New Year, announcing a partnership with world renowned marketing company Octagon.

Generous tax breaks and other incentives have been offered to potential clients with sponsors to be sought both locally and around the region.

This year will be a rehearsal for the games with some of the venues being tested with quality international competitions coming to Samoa's shores.


Farewell in style

The Oceania Surf Cup was successfully held at the Salani Reef Resort on Upolu in January. Gymnasium One at Tuana'imato, which was completed last October and now houses the Oceania Weightlifting Federation Training Institute, will host the Commonwealth, Oceania and South Pacific Weightlifting Champs from 11-15 July.

The Oceania Indoor and Beach Volleyball Championship is also coming to Apia from 20-28 October. Samoa will host the Oceania Archery Championship for the first time in November after recently securing the rights.

The Oceania Under 18 and Open Athletics Grand Prix will also be hosted in Samoa for the first time from 14-16 December.

In just five years, the 300 acres of government allocated land at Tuana'imato-a five minute drive southwest of Apia-has been transformed from a barren landscape to a Sports Mecca. The Faleata Sports complex not only houses an international class soccer pitch, but also a cricket oval, horse racing track, golf course and rugby fields, Aussie rules and softball.

Last year, the SPGA oversaw the completion of an indoor gymnasium and a beach volleyball complex located behind the Central Bank building by the seawall in downtown Apia with tantalising harbour views bound to make it a spectator favourite.

Samoa appears unruffled by the criticisms as it gears up for a busy year ahead, supremely confident even, that it will host an exceptional event. The Samoan government is making sure it will happen. Economic indicators are good. A new airline has launched, new hotels are springing up all over the place and the country is experiencing an upsurge in the tourism industry.

Samoa is not counting itself unlucky to be hosting the 13th South Pacific Games. It will be the last time before the official name is changed to just the Pacific Games, and the proud Polynesian nation is making sure it farewells the old name in style.