Athletics Takes Center Stage as Sol2023 Pacific Games Returns on Monday with Exciting Lineup
After Sunday’s rest day, the Sol2023 Pacific Games returns to action on day 7 (Monday 27 November) with six new sports and three continuing from week one.
A huge focus will be on athletics, which begins at 1pm at Honiara’s National Stadium. Events on the first day include the women’s heptathlon, men’s decathlon, women’s 100m, men’s 100m sprint ambulant and Solomon Islands’ Sharon Firisua looking to set a new Pacific Games record in the 5,000m on home soil.
A Sport City day ticket ($30) or a pass is needed for entry.
Fresh off the exciting conclusions of basketball and volleyball, Friendship Hall will transform into a netball arena for another of Monday’s new sports. Niue v Tonga will be first on court at 8:30am. A Sport City day ticket ($30) or a pass is needed for entry.
Bodybuilding will take place for one day only on Monday at Maranatha Hall. Male and female competitors will contest a range of categories based on physique. Events begin at 9am. Tickets are $30.
DC Park will play host to touch rugby, which begins on Monday and runs until Saturday. With women’s, men’s and mixed team competitions, there will be plenty of fast-flowing action in pursuit of medals. Matches begin at 8:30am.
Also at DC Park, two newly commencing sports take to the water – va’a and kayak. Va’a racing in outrigger canoes has long been a fan favourite at the Pacific Games, while kayak will make its first ever Pacific Games appearance at Sol2023, so head out there and check out both! Kayak events begin at 7:30am, closely followed by va’a from 8am. Entry is free.
And in more action at DC Park and with free entry, sailing continues to bring excitement to the waters. Events run from around 10am to 4pm, subject to wind conditions.
After two rest days, football returns with the all-important semi-finals in the women’s competition. PNG will take on Samoa at 12pm at Lawson Tama, followed by Fiji v New Caledonia at 3pm. The men’s competition will see playoffs at SIFF Academy to determine the remaining semi-final teams. American Samoa face Northern Mariana Islands at 10am, followed by Tonga v Tuvalu at 1pm and Samoa v Tahiti at 4pm. Entry is $30 for either venue.
Tennis continues with more action across singles and doubles events. Play begins at 9am at the National Tennis Centre, where a Sport City day ticket ($30) or a pass is needed for entry.
With so much happening on day 7 it’s hard to know where to start but, whatever you do, don’t miss out!
Source: Pacific Games News Service
