The South Pacific Games have as fascinating a history as any other international multisport competition. In the first games, held in Suva, Fiji in 1963, many of the competing nations used either the British or French flags and anthems. This was based on their historic allegiance, but made it quite difficult to distinguish the various teams from one another.

An ongoing discussion in the South Pacific Games has been over the issue of scheduling events on Sundays. Many nations prohibited their teams from competing on Sundays and on the island of Tonga it was actually against the law to participate in sporting events on the Sabbath.

The 1995 games in Papeete, Tahiti were boycotted by a number of nations due to France’s continued testing of nuclear weapons in Tahiti.

The 2003 games are scheduled to be held in Suva, Fiji for the third time.

New Caledonia tops SPG Medals chart once again

July 17, 2003

It took a few days, but the medals table for the South Pacific Games was finally released by the organizers in Fiji, with New Caledonia on top once again. New Caledonia has finished atop the medals table in ten of the twelve South Pacific Games.

New Caledonia does not have a National Olympic Committee recognized by the IOC. As a French territory, qualified New Caledonians would compete for France in the Olympic Games.

The medals table was made public with the caveat, "the convention used to determine the Medal Tally for these Games is that a minimum of four competitors are required to recognize the Gold, Silver and Bronze Medallist on this list. Where there are three competitors, Gold and Silver are recognized and where there are two only the Gold. This will be subject to review after the Games have concluded. The SPG Charter in fact only awards a gold medal for events in which there are three competitors and only Gold and Silver for events with four competitors. Once the SPG Council have deliberated on this the above tally will be adjusted.

South Pacific Games founder helps celebrate 40th anniversary of the Games

July 7, 2003

South Pacific Islanders are celebrating 40 years of the South Pacific Games, with the games founder, Fijian A.H. Sahu Khan, invited specifically for the occasion by the organizing committee.

Technically the celebration is a bit early as the first games opened in Suva, Fiji on August 29, 1963.

Now on a quadrennial schedule, the first three games were held three years apart in 1963, 1966 and 1969, with the fourth games in 1971. The 2003 games are the twelfth in the 40 year period.

According to the Fiji Daily Post Dr. Robin Mitchell said the games have come along way since 1963. "The Games are now seen as a marketable commodity and the corporate support is huge." This is contrasted with Dr. Khan's remark that people thought the idea was too large and that it wouldn't take off.

Vanuatu threatens to leave South Pacific Games

July 5, 2003

After over-zealous fans from the Solomon Islands angered members of the Vanuatu soccer delegation, Vanuatu was ordered to pull its entire delegation out of the games by its Chef de Mission Ture Kailo

After organizers intervened, and the Solomon Island contingent performed a "ceremony of apology",  Vanuatu decided to stay at the games. 

The incident did not involve members of the two teams, but spectators. The matter was discussed at the games Chef de Mission's meeting and Fijian cabinet members were asked to help solve the issue.

The incident occurred during a well fought soccer match that ended  in a 2-2 tie after Vanuatu was up 2-0.  While their team was leading, Vanuatu  fans danced their way around the Stadium. 

When the Solomon Islands scored two goals to make a comeback, a supporter of the Solomon Islands was said to have been stomping a flag from Vanuatu on the ground.  The incident sparked a a loud argument in which security had to step in and separate the two sides. The supporter later made an apology, which helped to solve the matter.

One spectator was heard to say, "Yes these two countries are true soccer nations because they have so many hooligans," he said.

Police stop Falun Gong followers at South Pacific Games

July 03, 2003

Three followers of Falun Gong were arrested and questioned by police in Fiji after entering venues in the South Pacific Games and distributing printed material about the group. The three had entered Fiji from Australia earlier in the week.

Police have stepped up security at the games as a result, mentioning both games security and national security.

Chinese embassy officials and Chinese citizens in Fiji allegedly complained to police. Police are investigating if the three women had violated conditions of their visitors visas.

12th South Pacific Games open in Suva

June 28, 2003

Fiji welcomed another edition of the South Pacific games to its shores, with a record twenty-two nations in attendance. After a rainy opening ceremony, Fiji's swimming star Carole Pickering, a multiple medal winner at the past two South Pacific Games, was chosen to light the games torch.

Fijian president, Ratu Josepa Illoilovata Uluvuda spoke to the athletes imploring them to "Be faithful to the ideals of the Games. Remember their purpose. You are all children of the unique and marvelous family of the South Pacific."

New Caledonia has been the traditional South Pacific Games powerhouse, winning the medals race on every occasion except for the first games in 1963 when Fiji was first, and 1991 when hosts Papua New Guinea won the medals race.

South Pacific Games Days Away

June 25, 2003

The South Pacific Games are just a few days away and organizers have certified that all venues are up to safety and health codes and ready for use. There was some concern that a few venues would not be ready, but organizers are now simply completing the landscaping, decorations and final venue preparation.

Fiji's Agriculture Department Quarantine Team has announced that it will have extra staff in place and be taking special security precautions to make sure that exotic pests and diseases are not brought into the country during the games.

South Pacific Games torch relay has begun

May 20, 2003

The South Pacific Games torch relay has begun and will tour the major Islands of Fiji before returning to Suva, for the beginning of the games June 28.

The torch was lit in the Fijian village of Viseisei, known as the first landing point for the first peoples to populate the Islands, and also the home village of Fiji's current President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo.

South Pacific Games supplier has busses repossessed

May 07, 2003

Organizers of the South Pacific Games in Fiji will need to adjust their transportation plans just a bit, after a court ordered six busses repossessed from Dee Cee's Bus Services Limited, the official ground transport of the games.

The company has been having financial difficulty, and had been behind in debt payments that the court had ordered in 2001.

South Pacific Games organizers have also announced that media attention surrounding the games will be used to promote HIV/AIDS education awareness programs in Fiji and around the South Pacific. Japan and Britain are funding the education campaign.

Rates of HIV infection in the Pacific region have been low relative to other areas around the world, the education campaign intends to help maintain those lower rates.

Gosper recommends Solomon Islands bid for South Pacific Games

April 30, 2003

Kevan Gosper an IOC vice president, and President of the Oceania National Olympic Committee, after a visit to the Solomon Islands, has said that the Solomon Islands might have a chance to win a bid for the South Pacific Games in 2011.

The Solomon's have been struggling with a poor economy lately.

The Solomon Islands hosted the South Pacific Mini Games in Honiara, in 1981.

Money for Papua New Guinean athletes

March 31, 2003

The Papua New Guinean government has pledged almost half a million US dollars to support athletes training for the upcoming South Pacific Games in Fiji in June. 

The money will be raised from businesses who contribute to the games and lottery funds. Tax breaks will be given to the companies supporting the games.

Support for Tuvalu's South Pacific Games athletes

March 30, 2003

Colonial Life and Health Insurance has presented a check to assist Team Tuvalu in preparations for the South Pacific Games. The money will go towards uniforms and equipment.

Tuvalu's Sports Minister, Dr. Alesana Kleis Seluka, hopes that other organizations will follow Colonial's example and support Tuvalu's teams.