Over 5,000 athletes from 22 Oceania islands are preparing to head to New Caledonia for the XIV Pacific Games.

Consider the largest sporting event in the region, the event had added significance this year as it is being held during the Année des Outre-Mer (Year of the French Overseas Regions).

The competition has taken place every four years since 1963 and is seen as a major sporting event for the area.

All the countries around the South Pacific (excluding New Zealand and Australia) take part in the event, including the Samoan Islands, which hosted the last Games in 2007, and Papua New Guinea which will host the next Games in 2015.

This is the third time in the history of the Pacific Games that New Caledonia has hosted the major international event.

This year the French President will open the Pacific Games to celebrate the Année des Outre-Mer.

The NC 2011 committee will organise the events with meticulous attention to the rules of the charter inspired by the famous Olympic Charter.

Almost 3,500 volunteers are taking part to ensure the events run smoothly.

Events are spread over 37 sites in a dozen parts of the archipelago.

 

New Caledonia

Oceania’s cultural identity will come to the fore during these Games with sports such as the Va’a, an ancient discipline named after the Polynesian pirogue.

This event will take place in the waters of Anse-Vata and Poindimié on the East coast.

Some of the beach volleyball and open water swimming events, with the competitors surrounded by magnificent scenery, will take place on the famous Ouvéa Island.

Just days from the Rugby World Cup in Auckland (September 9th to October 23rd 2011), the rugby sevens players will certainly be feeling the pressure.

This is a great chance for you to watch some of the world’s best teams in action: Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

The XIV Pacific Games will take place from August 27th to September 10th.

WSDE Sport Tourism Expo

The Pacific Games are just one of the many annual highlights in the sports tourism sector.

WSDE Sport Tourism Expo is the only Conference, Exhibition and Meeting Place dedicated to the $600 billion a year Sport Tourism market - the most rapidly growing sector in travel and tourism.

Now in its 2nd year, 2011’s event will take place in Bangkok, Thailand - Asia’s Sport Tourism Gateway - from 27th - 29th September 2011.

Take a look at the website for more information.