Port Moresby says goodbye to an ‘outstanding’ Pacific Games

The closing ceremony saw athletes, volunteers and Port Moresby come together for one big party. Photo: Joanna Lester.

PORT MORESBY, July 18 – With fireworks, music, grass skirts and a sample of the Pacific’s rich and diverse culture, Port Moresby said a fond goodbye the 2015 Pacific Games in Saturday night’s closing ceremony at BSP Stadium.
Vidhya Lakhan (FIJ), president of the Pacific Games Council (PGC), proclaimed the Port Moresby 2015 Pacific Games an “outstanding Games that surpassed all expectations” as he declared the Games closed and started a night that brought the whole of Papua New Guinea to the party.
Lakhan said he hopes the Games will leave something to remember for the host city, while giving Tonga 2019 something to aim for.
“We want the Games to leave legacies, physical and human, that will last long after the 2015 Games have finished,” said Lakhan in his speech, part of the formalities of the closing ceremony.
“Thank you for being such a wonderful host. Thank you for making our stay in Port Moresby safe and memorable,” said Lakhan.
“Realising your dreams and your goals is not impossible.”
Lakhan did not forget the stars of the show, the athletes, who he said had exceeded expectations – particularly those from PNG.
“You are the true champions of these Games with your stirring performances in front of of the home crowd.
“You have done PNG proud,” he said.
The Governor General of Papua New Guinea, Michael Ogio (PNG) started proceedings by proclaiming that PNG should bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, a suggestion that drew applause from the thousands of athletes, volunteers and spectators who had come out for the fun.
Next, Andrew Minogue (AUS) the executive director of the PGC, handed the title of best male athlete of the Games to Ryan Pini (PNG) and best female athlete to New Caledonia’s Lara Grangeon.
Pini stepped to the podium to claim his honour, while New Caledonia’s Chef de Mission collected the gong on behalf of Grangeon, who had already departed PNG.
After Lakhan poured the plaudits on the hosts, athletes and volunteers, the Pacific Games flag was handed on to the next hosts, Tonga.
And then, it was party time.
PNG’s pop king Anslom took to the stage, starting a procession of local and regional stars that went long into the night.
J Boog, Fiji, O-Shen and George Mamua Telek gave the crowd a taste of a range of genres from the region, before Jay Lieasi brought the night, and the Games, to an end.
By Joel Fitzpatrick, Games News Service.
GNS jf/kd