BY ALEX DADAMU
Pat Conroy, Australian Minister for Defence Industry and International Development and the Pacific has announced this morning that Australia will provide an additional AUD$16.68 (SBD$100 Million) support towards hosting the 2023 Pacific Games.
Minister Conroy made the announcement in the presence of the Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare and senior 2023 Pacific Games officials.
“The SBD$100 Million support will be for the 2023 Pacific Games including assistance to refurbish school dormitories to accommodate athletes and officials during the games, provide further elite training and gym equipment to SINIS, and develop a temporary marine Center which will host open water sports during the games and fund critical positions inside the national hosting authority and National Sports Commission.
“Solomon Islands athletes are already benefiting from Australian support ahead of the games through our Pacific sports initiative.
“We are providing the Solomon Islands athletes and teams with access to elite training and competition, including para-athletes.
“We’re also supporting SINIS to create a high-performance environment for Solomon Islands athletes, including through the provision of elite training and gym equipment, and through the Australian volunteer’s program,” Minister Conroy stated.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his address, conveyed his Government’s appreciation for Australia’s contribution towards the 2023 Pacific Games stating that the latest support has made Australia the second largest development partner contributed to the 2023 Pacific games.
“Allow me Minister Conroy to convey to you and through you to the Prime Minister and people of Australia, my personal and my government’s sincere appreciation for this great contribution to the 2023 Pacific Games. I want to thank and commend your team here on the ground, led by High Commissioner, Lachlan Strahan for their tremendous efforts in supporting the government’s proposal for funding support.
He further commended the Australian team on the ground, led by H. E. High Commissioner Strahan for his tremendous efforts in supporting the government’s proposal for funding support.
“For the government and the people of Solomon Islands, the 2023 Pacific Games is not just about ‘two weeks of sporting extravaganza’ but it will attract more than five thousand people in Honiara capital city in November 2023 and there will be tremendous competition over the games period.
“However, as a first-time host of this major sporting event – all preparations and planning are underpinned by one single word – LEGACY.
“The 2023 Pacific Games is all about leaving a legacy for our young population, and our future generations,” Sogavare said.
“It is the single largest unifying event for the nation. The theme for the 2023 Pacific games comprises three simple words – Challenge, Celebrate, Unite, which aptly describes Solomon Islands vision and hope that the games will continue to unify the nation,” PM Sogavare said.
