Games History
The History of the South Pacific Games
The South Pacific Games initiative was borne out of the South Pacific Conference in Rabaul, Papua New Guine in 1959. Dr A H Sahu Khan of Fiji was a strong advocate for the games. In 1962, the South Pacific Commission founded the South Pacific Games. The main objective is to create bonds of kindred friendship and brotherhood amongst people of the countries of the Pacific region through sporting exchange without any distinctions as to race, religion, or politics. The South Pacific Games was to ensure the efficient promotion and development of sports amongst the South Pacific nations and their people.
The First South Pacific Games
The first South Pacific Games was held in Suva, Fiji in 1963. Many of the competing island nations used either the British or French flags and anthems with the exception of Samoa. The official opening on Thursday 29th August 1963 at Buckhurst Park, was attended by 8000 people. The Fiji Governor, Sir Kenneth Maddocks, declared the Games open and with a fanfare of trumpets and the unfurling of the Games flag, a Royal New Zealand Air Force Sunderland flew past.
The 770 competitors and officials from 12 countries marched into the arena, country by country. The largest group was the Fiji contingent with 187 athletes and officials. They stood side by side with the 12 member Gilbert and Ellice Island team. The Fiji Times editorial in describing the open day referred to it as "probably the greatest single gathering of Pacific Island peoples in one place at one time."
Today
Every four years the Pacific comes together in friendship to celebrate the South Pacific Games, a multi-sport event that is by its very design of and for the Pacific. The games maintain a high standing within the regional sporting calendar and a growing reputation for sporting excellence.
The variable and extensive sports programme has been developed over forty years. The 11th South Pacific Games held in Suva, Fiji saw for the first time the introduction of a full programme of 32 sports. That included sports that are synonymous with the Pacific, thus widely supported within the region as well as sports that have a limited participation and generally are not well established.
The event encompasses some 4000 participants, 32 sporting events and 22 Pacific island nations and territories. Despite all the changes, the perpetual spirit of cultural friendship through sports remains the essence of the games.
The most recent South Pacific Games took place in in Samoa in 2007
The Cook Islands hosted the second South Pacific Mini Games and is now hosting the eighth (renamed) Pacific Mini Games.
Previous Games
The following countries and territories have held the South Pacific Games:
2007 Samoa
2003 Fiji
1999 Guam
1995 Tahiti
1991 Papua New Guinea
1987 New Caledonia
1983 Western Samoa
1979 Fiji
1975 Guam
1971 Tahiti
1969 Papua New Guinea
1966 New Caledonia
1963 Fiji
The following countries and territories have held the South Pacific Mini Games (now Pacific Mini Games):
2005 Palau
2001 Norfolk Island
1997 American Samoa
1993 Vanuatu
1989 Tonga
1985 Cook Islands
1981 Solomon Islands