Fiji Misses Out on 2031 Pacific Games Hosting Rights

Following the announcement of the host for the 2031 Pacific Games, we understand the outpour of feelings of shock and disappointment as this has also been the reaction by many outside of Fiji.

Thank you for your patience. As President of the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC), which is also the Fiji Pacific Games Association; it is my responsibility to provide the facts to you all, and especially our member national federations and their membership; and in a very special way our athletes, youth, families and friends, and everyone that support Sports and believe in Sport as a valuable and powerful tool for social development amongst others.

Firstly, I want to assure you all, that Fiji ‘s Bid, with the vision “Athletes Centered and Legacy Led” was presented according to the Bid Guidelines and Protocols as required by the Pacific Games Council.

It is important to highlight, that it is the Pacific Games Association (PGAs), that are members of the Pacific Games Council, who have the right to vote for the next Host for any Game including the 2031 Pacific Games. These members have voted on the 04 October 2024, where Tonga has been declared the Host for the next Pacific Games in seven (7) years’ time.

There is a process that is followed; and in July this year the Pacific Games Council carried out a thorough and careful bid evaluation process of the three candidate countries; Fiji, Vanuatu and Tonga. The official Evaluation Report was submitted to all PGAs, two months prior to the General Assembly in Palau on the 03-04 October 2024. This allowed the PGAs to make a considered examination of the respective strengths and weaknesses of each bid.  The main areas covered were: political support, infrastructure requirements, Games operational budgets, sports program, visa/charter flights and the Host Agreement.

The Risk Assessment Report showed that the risk for Fiji in all was LOW.

PGAs were also asked to take into consideration the different risk profiles in the bidding countries; with respect to the timely provision of Games infrastructure and the timely provisions of Games organizational funding, especially where smooth and on-going government support is required.

As per the PGC Bid Evaluation Report, Fiji’s Bid presented the least amount of risk compared to the bids of Tonga and Vanuatu.

At the PGC General Assembly in Palau last week, Vanuatu, whose bid carries less risk than that of Tonga announced it had decided to withdraw its bid.

“Tonga whose only previous Games hosting experience remains the 1989 Pacific Mini Games and where, in the wake of the 2019 Pacific Games withdrawal, universal political and community support was not easy to discern” the Report said.

Interestingly, the day before, the voting, the PGC highlighted their great concern that for previous Organizing Committees of the Pacific Games one thing that we don’t seem to get right is the Welfare of Athletes. Future hosts, are encouraged to ensure:

1) The Welfare of Athletes at the Games is prioritized (accommodation, meals, transport etc.)

2) The lack of local in-country technical officials

As a hopeful bidding country for the 2031 Pacific Games, we were equally surprised by this decision.

This media statement is provided for your understanding that although both countries may deliver their bids differently, the facts remain that the responsibility to choose the host country is with each individual voting member Pacific Games Association (PGA) who were provided with all the necessary information from the Bid Evaluation Report.

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