The Pacific Games Stadium in Honiara. July 2023. Photo: Supplied
Solomon Islands Games village
The Pacific Games Organising Committee says the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) campuses, which form part of the 2023 Pacific Games village, are now ready to house 5000 athletes and officials.
A statement on the Solomons 2023 Pacific Games website said 11 Pacific Island nations' contingents have been confirmed to be accommodated in the games village sites starting on November 14.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who is also the minister responsible for the games, formally received the village complex from the university on Friday, October 13.
The SINU project covers three different campuses which includes the university's Kukum, Marine and Panatina Campuses.
American Samoa athletes
American Samoa is sending 189 athletes, coaches and officials to the Pacific Games.
They will compete across multiple sports including track and field, indoor and beach volleyball, swimming and boxing.
The Chef de Mission for the team is Trevor Kaituu, a Solomon Islander who has been a resident of American Samoa for many years.
The Secretary General of the American Samoa National Olympic Committee Ethan Lake said the team leaves on a Solomon Airlines charter flight directly from Pago Pago International to Honiara on November 14.
144 passengers will be on that flight and the remaining 40 plus will travel via various airlines and routes to Honiara.
Fijian Drua players re-sign
Flying Fijians rugby reps Ilaisa Droasese and Selestino Ravutaumada have been re-signed by the Fijian Drua for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.
This was confirmed by the franchise on October 20.
The duo were part of the Flying Fijians campaign at the Rugby World Cup in France.
Mate Ma'a Tonga lose to England
England has won the first of three rugby leagueTest matches against Mate Ma'a Tonga, 22-18, in London this morning.
The match was tied 12-all at halftime.
England had scored first and claimed two converted tries in the first half and another two tries in the second half.
Tonga also touched down twice in the first spell, through Starford To'a and Tyson Frizell.
Toluta'u Koula scored another Tongan try in the second half.
Bati overcome Aitu
A late try helped the Fiji Bati to a close 22-18 victory over the Cook Islands Aitu in their Pacific Championships clash in Port Moresby on Sunday.
The Bati were down 18-16 with six minutes to play.
But Sunia Turuva's late try put the Fijians in front, and it was converted by Brandon Wakeham.
NRL players Maika Sivo, Jahream Bula, and Waqa Blake also scored tries for the new-look Bati side.
The Cook Islands had the momentum in the opening stages of the match and led 12-4 early in the second half.
Pacific women lose WXV matches
Samoa and Fiji both lost their matches in the WXV rugby competition at the weekend.
World Rugby reports Japan scored three of their four tries after half-time to secure a 32-10 victory over Samoa in the W-X-V second tier in Cape Town, South Africa.
It was Samoa's second loss at the event, after losing 36-26 to the United States of America two weekends ago.
Spain sent the Fijiana crashing in their WXV third tier match up in Dubai, winning 26-19.
The Fijiana side had thrashed Colombia 67-13 in their first game two weekends ago.