SAMOA - The Pacific Games Association (PGA) has officially awarded the 2019 Pacific Games hosting rights to Samoa.

The Pacific Games Council (PGC) congratulated the PGA of Samoa on its selection as host for the 2019 Pacific Games and will be assisting them in preparations in the remaining time available. The PGC was very complimentary of the Prime Minister and Government of Samoa for its commitment to support the Samoa PGA.

The Executive Board assessed that the expression of interest lodged by Samoa was the only one that met all of the criteria, most notably the full financial commitment of the host Government including to provide the range of other support services required to stage such an event.

The PGC is very grateful to the PGAs of Guam and Tahiti for displaying their strong commitment to the Pacific Games and for offering to provide the athletes with a home for their 2019 Games.

“Samoa is an experienced and capable recent host of major events like the 2007 South Pacific Games and 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games," said PGC President Vidhya Lakhan.

"The Executive Board has every confidence that Samoa will stage another very successful Pacific Games in 2019. Samoa's sporting facilities are all in place and the full and financial support of the Samoan Prime Minister and Government gave the Samoan PGA’s bid the winning edge. We all look forward to returning to Apia in 2019. In the meantime, PGC expects to sign the Games Host Agreement with the Samoan PGA and Government in the next ten days."

"FIBA would like to congratulate Samoa, we look forward to assisting the Samoa Basketball Federation with their preparations," added FIBA Executive Director - Oceania, David Crocker. "The Pacific Games is the premier basketball event in the region and we have every confidence that Samoa will be a successful host."

FIBA