Samoa sends off 433 strong Team for SOL23 Pacific Games

Apia, Samoa – 11 November 2023: The largest Samoan sports contingent to represent Samoa in an overseas sporting competition were farewelled yesterday.

The 433 strong contingent of 332 athletes and 101 officials and management will represent Samoa in the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands capital city Honiara. 5,000 participants including athletes, technical officials and support staff, from 24 Pacific nations, will compete in 24 sports.

Team Samoa was led by golden weightlifter Don Opeloge as the flag bearer in their farewell parade on Beach Road before the prayer service and words of encouragement from the Acting Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio.

The Acting Prime Minister Tuala Ponifasio addressing the team.

Tuala cited last week achievement by local young female Golfer, Faith Vui who won the prestigious New Zealand Women’s Golf Open in New Zealand as a source of inspiration for the team.

“This demonstrates that dreams can be realized, just as you Team Samoa are about to achieve your dreams,” he said.

“For any young aspiring athlete, coach or team management member, the 2023 Pacific Games is a big milestone to gauge your ability, your endurance, your determination and your desire to be the best.

“But above all, it is a life time opportunity to travel, experience new shores, make new friends, and enjoy representing your country of Samoa,” Tuala said.

Team Samoa will be led by its Chef de Mission, Leiataualesā Jerry Brunt and the Samoan contingent will travel to Honiara on a variety of chartered fights and commercial flights, from Samoa and Brisbane.

Of the 433 Team Samoa members, 332 are athletes with 182 male athletes and 150 female athletes, across 24 sports. 101 sports officials and PGA management, make up the Samoa contingent.

The Pacific Games will officially be opened on Sunday 19th November in Honiara with the Closing on Saturday 2nd December 2023.

A number of sports competing in Honiara will be using SOL23 as qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics.