South Pacific Games opens in Apia [1]
Monday, August 27, 2007 - 09:15. Updated on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 - 16:13.
Photos courtesy Xinhua
The 13th South Pacific Games was officially opened in Apia, Samoa yesterday, August 25.
The opening ceremony was in a traditional and enthusiastic style as the people of Samoa welcomed nearly 5,000 athletes from 22 nations and territories to the Apia Park Stadium.
The opening ceremony featuring Samoan dances, was attended by Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of Samoa, and Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi, Head of State.
The Tongan contingent was led by flag-bearer Michael Burling (surfing) and will compete in this week's events. The rest of the Tongan team will be arriving in Apia tomorrow and Thursday to prepare for next week's events.
The Games will be hosted over a two-week period, 25 August to 8 September.
The first South Pacific Games was held in Suva, Fiji in 1963, which included The 770 competitors and officials from 12 countries and territories.