THE idea of holding the Pacific Games (formerly named as South Pacific Games) originated with Dr A.H. Sahu Khan who was one of Fiji’s representatives at a meeting of the South Pacific Commission held at Rabaul during 1959.
The idea was adopted and led to a meeting of nine territories, held in Noumea during March 1961, which awarded Fiji the honour of hosting the very first games.
During 1962, the South Pacific Commission founded the South Pacific Games Council, and over the next 40 years games have been held in 12 countries and territories within the region.
The S.P. Games of Suva in July 2003 were the 11th South Pacific Games and the 40th anniversary Games.
The South Pacific Games was established with the view to creating bonds of kindred friendship and brotherhood among the people of the countries of the Pacific region through sporting exchange without any distinctions as to race, religion or politics.
The South Pacific Games was to ensure the efficient promotion and development of sports among the South Pacific nations and their peoples.
With expansion and economic growth in the Pacific and Oceania countries of the Pacific Islands the South Pacific Commission in 1998 changed its name to the Pacific Community.
It is now appropriate for the South Pacific Games Council to modernise and revise its charter in light of these changes in the region and the changing pace of sport in our society.
Every four years the Pacific comes together in friendship to celebrate the South Pacific Games, a multi-sport event that is by its very design of and for the Pacific.
A celebration of sport and culture in common bonds acquired through a shared physical geography and community.
The “Pacific Games” as they are now to be styled go forward as the physical representation of the Pacific Communities as they move forward from the first South Pacific Games in Fiji in 1963.
The South Pacific Games maintain a high standing within the regional sporting calendar and a growing reputation for sporting excellence.
The games product recognised through our member’s participation is a variable and extensive sports program developed over forty years.
The 11th South Pacific Games held in Suva, Fiji saw for the first time the introduction of a full program of 32 sports.
That program included sports that are synonymous with the Pacific, thus widely supported within the region as well as sports that have a limited participation and generally not well established.
The Following Countries and Territories have held either the Pacific Games or South Pacific Mini Games:
Pacific Games
2015 Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
2011 New Caledonia
2007 Samoa
2003 Fiji
1999 Guam
1995 Tahiti
1991 Papua New Guinea
1987 New Caledonia
1983 Western Samoa
1979 Fiji
1975 Guam
1971 Tahiti
1969 Papua New Guinea
1966 New Caledonia
1963 Fiji
South Pacific Mini Games
2013 Wallis and Futuna
2009 Cook Islands
2005 Palau
2001 Norfolk Island
1997 American Samoa
1993 Vanuatu
1989 Tonga
1985 Cook Islands
1981 Solomon IslandsS
