The Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (S.A.S.N.O.C.) has confirmed their plans of having 23 sports represent Samoa at the XVII Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands in November. 

The committee said in a statement issued on Thursday that the recent Samoa Games enabled the various federations to identify athletes who will become the national representatives. 

“Our Samoa Games 2023 has allowed our individual national federations to showcase the talent of our current athletes, identifying and highlighting potential talents, and to pinpoint areas for improvement,” read the statement. “Samoa Games was used by many sports as a platform to trial and selection for the Pacific Games (Sol PG) 2023.”  

The committee relayed their thanks to all the athletes who participated, especially to all the school students who took part in the many sports.

“Thank you to our athletes, local and abroad, who spared the time to participate and compete in our Games. Without you, the Samoa Games 2023 would have not been a reality but just a dream.”

A total number of 22 sports held their tournaments for Samoa Games 2023, namely,  athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, cricket, cycling, football, golf, hockey, rugby,  rugby league, netball, sailing, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, tag, tennis, touch, triathlon, volleyball, and weightlifting.

Overseas-based athletes, coaches and officials travelled to Samoa to participate in the tournament with the hopes of all making the cut in representing Samoa in November. 

Samoa Games 2023 is now out of the way with Team Samoa to the SolGames to be led by Chef de Mission Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt. The country is now in the process of trialling and selecting athletes to represent Samoa. 

Samoa will compete in 23 sports. The number of Team Samoa travelling to Honiara is not confirmed at this stage as trials for selection are still being carried out. Team Samoa will consist of athletes, officials, coaches, team managers, and medical personnel. The XVII Pacific Games will take place from 19 November to 2 December 2023.