Latest news with #PacificGames
RNZ News
13 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Security support for Mini Games as Team Palau confirmed
Team Palau welcomed at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara. 19 November 2023 Photo: RNZ Pacific/Junior Maealasia A team of regional police officers will assist Palau police during the Pacific Mini Games, which the country will host from 29 June. The country's president, Surangel Whipps Jr, told RNZ Pacific he and his countrymen and women are excited about hosting the Pacific's athletes and officials . The Island Times has reported Palau's Minister of Justice Jennifer Olegeriil announced they are getting around 16 regional police officers from across the Pacific to support Palau law enforcement during the Games. The report stated Palau is set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) this week with a regional policing deployment agency composed of more than 10 Pacific Island member countries. The Island Times reported the agreement includes collaboration with the Australian Federal Police. Under the agreement, officers from member nations will be deployed to assist with security operations throughout the Games. Olegeriil has also urged the public to help ensure a safe environment during the Games. President Whipps said Qantas is adding extra flights to Palau for the Game, which is a big boost as well. "We did hear from Qantas that they added on another flight on June 28 to make sure that we get more athletes coming up here on that day," he said. Surangel Whipps Jr in Rarotonga. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis "So, two flights from Brisbane that day, and we're excited about that. "We hear so far 1,700 athletes are coming. I think that's pretty good for a Mini Games. "There's nothing like sports to bring us together." He added one of the exciting programs they have put in place is training young journalists who can help in the Games' coverage. "There's a training program to get 20 youths to be part of the media team, and so they're training them so they can go around and do a 30-minute coverage after every day," he said. "So, training young Palauans, hopefully more people into the media and communication space, which is so much needed." Meanwhile, the Palau National Olympic Committee has confirmed 225 athletes for the Mini Games. Secretary General Baklai Temengil-Chilton confirmed that is the maximum number of athletes any country can field. Palau's confirmed numbers mean they will have the largest team among the 22 participating Pacific nations. The Solomon Islands have confirmed 201 athletes, which would be the second largest at the Games. Fiji will have 187. The Island Times report stated nearly half of Palau's athletes are under the age of 19. Team Palau swimmers are in Australia for pre-Games conditioning, while the baseball team recently returned from two months of training in Taiwan. Frank Kyota, president of the Palau National Olympic Committee, told local media earlier that investments made to upgrade and expand Palau's sports infrastructure - including national gyms, fields, and facilities - will serve the broader community for years to come. He said the event give Palauan athletes the opportunity to compete at a high level at home. "Look at what sports can do," Kyota said. "It brings (nations) together … and helps us focus on projects that may not have been done otherwise." The Games officially open on 29 June 29 and close on 9 July.
ABC News
5 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Melissa Maykin
As this trend spreads, concerns are growing about the risks of brain injuries and the intense pressure on young men to prove themselves. 2h ago 2 hours ago Thu 5 Jun 2025 at 12:05am Fijians used 626.13 terabytes of data watching porn last quarter, according to one telco, landing it in the top 10 countries worldwide for pornography-related searches. Thu 7 Dec Thu 7 Dec Thu 7 Dec 2023 at 6:45pm The Pacific Games has been heralded as a "resounding triumph" for the Pacific region, but with ill Solomon Islanders treated in hospital car parks, some are asking, at what cost? Tue 5 Dec Tue 5 Dec Tue 5 Dec 2023 at 5:39am The first register of its kind in the South Pacific will identify children living with cerebral palsy to help improve understanding, reduce risk factors and meet their needs. Wed 29 Nov Wed 29 Nov Wed 29 Nov 2023 at 7:57pm The developing system is the second cyclone of the South Pacific season which only began a fortnight ago. Tue 14 Nov Tue 14 Nov Tue 14 Nov 2023 at 7:34am Pasifika people are generous people – their commitment to serving and supporting others is central to their identities. But that generosity comes at a cost. Fri 10 Nov Fri 10 Nov Fri 10 Nov 2023 at 11:47pm Several of Australia's Pacific neighbours have encouraged the country to adopt the Voice. So, how do they ensure Indigenous voices are heard? Wed 4 Oct Wed 4 Oct Wed 4 Oct 2023 at 7:55pm With work underway to update New Caledonia's unique way of grappling with its colonial history, pro-independence Kanak leaders reflect on the gains made and the path ahead for the French territory. Sat 30 Sep Sat 30 Sep Sat 30 Sep 2023 at 7:21pm With the body a canvas for breathtaking craftsmanship and the transfer of knowledge, the tatau is etched into stretched skin using needle-sharp animal bones. Fri 11 Aug Fri 11 Aug Fri 11 Aug 2023 at 8:49pm Repurposed medical supplies from Queensland hospitals are improving health services for rural Papua New Guineans, who volunteers say have been left behind by their government. Sat 15 Jul Sat 15 Jul Sat 15 Jul 2023 at 7:57pm While bees are proving their worth as an effective side hustle, they're also helping communities in Solomon Islands in the fight against climate change. Fri 7 Jul Fri 7 Jul Fri 7 Jul 2023 at 9:36pm Tonga looks set to become the first Pacific country to experiment with wave technology when work commences on a power wave park later this year. Thu 22 Jun Thu 22 Jun Thu 22 Jun 2023 at 6:57pm New Zealanders on recently approved permanent resident visas call for refunds after the government streamlined their path to citizenship, making their visas virtually redundant. Fri 9 Jun Fri 9 Jun Fri 9 Jun 2023 at 7:26pm While New Zealanders have welcomed easier, cheaper pathways to gain Australian citizenship, some say they were left in the dark about plans to abolish an expensive visa that will soon be redundant. Tue 16 May Tue 16 May Tue 16 May 2023 at 7:00pm Proudly representing the Brisbane suburb of Goodna, Samoan rapper Talisi Poasa is breaking new ground for Pasifika in Australia and broadening the horizons of his beloved community, "the four-three". Sat 15 Apr Sat 15 Apr Sat 15 Apr 2023 at 7:37pm Believed to have crashed into the sea off PNG's Manus Island, the rare interstellar meteor was one of the first ever documented, and it has scientists questioning if it could be artificially made. Sat 15 Apr Sat 15 Apr Sat 15 Apr 2023 at 12:04am A landmark resolution by Vanuatu law students and its government to get climate change to the world's highest court has been adopted by the United Nations, in a bid to clarify if states are responsible for preventing climate harm. Thu 30 Mar Thu 30 Mar Thu 30 Mar 2023 at 1:30am A large contingent of ADF troops has begun a humanitarian mission in Vanuatu in the wake of last week's twin cyclone disaster, while the nation's seasonal workers in Australia are raising money for affected families. Mon 13 Mar Mon 13 Mar Mon 13 Mar 2023 at 8:32pm From cooking tutorials to family-focused gyms, these Pacific Islanders are trying to curb the disproportionate rates of chronic disease in their communities. Wed 8 Mar Wed 8 Mar Wed 8 Mar 2023 at 7:58pm Australia is sending RAAF planes, HMAS Canberra and 600 personnel to help Vanuatu's population rebuild after "evil twin" cyclone event. Mon 6 Mar Mon 6 Mar Mon 6 Mar 2023 at 5:57am Tongan woman Esitia Tupou moderates a Facebook page for Polynesians in Brisbane where they expose men they claim cheat on girlfriends, wives, and families. But experts warn it comes with risks. Fri 17 Feb Fri 17 Feb Fri 17 Feb 2023 at 6:54pm Chewed across South-East Asia and the Pacific, a market for the intoxicating betel nut has opened up in Australia, giving some Solomon Islander seasonal workers a taste of home. Thu 19 Jan Thu 19 Jan Thu 19 Jan 2023 at 10:27pm Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will address the Papua New Guinea national parliament and visit the resting place of the late Sir Michael Somare during a two-day visit next week. Thu 5 Jan Thu 5 Jan Thu 5 Jan 2023 at 5:48am A Papua New Guinean researcher calls for Australia to help deliver its next national census amid speculation the population is as high as 17 million. Wed 4 Jan Wed 4 Jan Wed 4 Jan 2023 at 7:35pm Fiji's police force says it has requested assistance from the country's military after reports of violence in the wake of last week's national election. Thu 22 Dec Thu 22 Dec Thu 22 Dec 2022 at 11:22pm
Nikkei Asia
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
Solomon Islands MP frets over China influence as ministers hold key meeting
SYDNEY -- On Wednesday, the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers Meeting will take place in the city of Xiamen, where China will endeavor to further solidify its influence in the strategic region. Since 2019, Beijing has made particularly significant overtures in the Solomon Islands, from dispatching Chinese police officers to constructing a new stadium for the 2023 Pacific Games. But now, Peter Kenilorea Jr., an independent MP from the Solomon Islands, worries that Beijing is also seeking to control the Honiara government.
RNZ News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Team Vanuatu waits for state funding ahead of Palau Mini Games
Vanuatu women's beach volleyball team against Fiji at the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Photo: Facebook / VASANOC Team Vanuatu's preparations for the Palau Mini Games is yet to receive their government's support, the Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (VASANOC) has confirmed. VASANOC chief Executive David Lolo told RNZ Pacific last week that they are still waiting for confirmation of government funding. However, he said preparation work is on target, with 130 athletes and officials currently training for the Mini Games, which is scheduled to kick off on 29 June in Palau's capital, Koror. "We have not received any confirmation of financial support from our government at this stage," Lolo said. "We have just recently submitted [our] full long list and we will finalise our team by the end of the month." He said in an earlier interview that VASANOC had "also leaned on the Australian government through DFAT (Australia High Commission in Vanuatu) for assistance". Lolo said Team Vanuatu had "no issues" with the player registration fee that all regional athletes pay for participation at the Games. "Our long list has been registered on time," he added. In an earlier interview, Lolo said they planned to take 99 athletes from nine different sports. The country's capital city, Port Vila, was struck by an earthquake in December last year, which damaged sports facilities as well and affected Team Vanuatu's preparations. "It affects us massively," Lolo said. "You cannot discount what a training facility or environment does for an athletes' preparation. Among all things, if the athletes mindset is lowered due to this, their support team already feel one step behind. "We do not know what can be done because we are in recovery mode but certainly there are ways to support our federations." Lolo said VASANOC is working with chef de mission Aileen Huri, and the individual sports federations, to ensure all preparation plans cover the "must do" issues, ensuring that the athletes are well prepared for the event. Medals and improved performances will be the driving factor for the contingent, with medal hopes in athletics, table tennis, beach volleyball, judo, archery and weightlifting based on the 2023 Pacific Games results. Meanwhile, Weightlifting Fiji head coach Henry Elder has told local media that the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) should drop the FJ$3000 levy athletes have to pay. The requirement has sparked debate locally, as it is not the first time athletes have been expected to cover significant costs to represent the country. "This in my view is really unfair," Elder told state broadcaster FBC . "These athletes they struggle for so long, some of them even take loans to make this payment. "I think it is high time that something is done to take the burden off these athletes." He said many athletes fork out money to pay for their training, travels and other needs, without any assistance from FASANOC or government, to pay for those. "Many of these athletes already face challenges attending regular training sessions due to financial constraints, and the additional levy only intensifies these difficulties," Elder stated. However, FASANOC said on Thursday that the $3000 levy for participation in the Pacific Mini Games is imposed on sporting federations, not directly on athletes. FASANOC chief executive Vanessa Kilner told FBC Sports that it is each federation's responsibility to manage how the levy is paid. Kilner stressed that the decision on whether athletes pay out of pocket lies with the individual federations, adding the arrangement is not new. "The national federations are levied $3000 per person on their team, not just the athletes," Kilner said. "Our total cost of sending someone to the Pacific Mini Games is $15,500 for one person. "So $3000 is what you contribute. Some national federations do it very well while some actually pay for their athletes." Some sports federations have done their own fundraising to help them get their share of the levy.
ABC News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Call for Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport to add more staff and grow its services in light of Manele Government's long term funding pledge
When Solomon Islands hosted the Pacific Games in late 2023, their team raked in a record haul of 80 medals for the country, including 12 gold. The athletes' success was put down in no small part to the impact of SINIS, the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport, which was set up prior to the games, and based on the PNG model which proved so successful for their team in 20-15. However once the games in Honiara were over, SINIS was plunged into a period of uncertainty - sporting federations were barred from using it at one point, staff were concerned about job security, and no-one knew where future funding for the institute was going to come from. But now Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele, has put minds at rest by pledging financial support from government for SINIS on an annual basis.
