BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
TEAM Solomons is ready to compete for the nation in November in the forthcoming XVII Pacific Games 2023 in Honiara, having been commissioned over the weekend.
On Sunday, November 5, during a church service at the Saint Barnabas Anglican Cathedral, Team Solomons was commissioned. They will participate in 24 different sports from November 19 to December 2 during the Games.
Manasseh Sogavare, the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands and the minister in charge of the XVII Pacific Games in 2023, called the formation of Team Solomon a noteworthy achievement.
“Today’s commissioning service for team Solomon, our women, and our men that would represent our country during the Games is a significant milestone for our country,” Sogavare said. “I thank the Hon. Minister for Home Affairs, whose portfolio includes the minister of sports, for hosting this final thanksgiving service and commissioned and dedicated our team for the XVII Pacific Games 2023.’’
He told the congregation that he was greatly honored and privileged to receive all these games’ venues and the games’ village from the country’s development partners upon their completion this year and also to now declare open in readiness for use during the XVII Pacific Games 2023, which will officially open on November 19 to December 2, 2023.
“All the games’ venues where the various sporting events will be held and the games’ villages where all officials and athletes will be accommodated have been completed and successfully handed over to the Government of Solomon Islands and the National Hosting Authority (NHA),” he affirmed.
He added, “I pray that our almighty God will protect all our games’ venues and games’ villages’. May our almighty father also protect and shower heavenly blessings on every person who uses those venues and sleeps in these villages.
“To God be the glory, great things he has done for this great nation, and he will continue to do for our nation. We are one people, one country; we are the Solomon Islands. IUMI TOGETHER for the XVII Pacific Games 2023. May God bless team Solomons for the XVII Pacific Games 2023; may God bless the Solomon Islands from shore to shore,” he said.
