Prime Minister Hosts Warm Cocktail Reception at Heritage Poolside For Pacific Ministers Convening In Honiara
Sports Ministers from across the Pacific gathered for a week’s meeting in Honiara. The Ministers received a warm welcome from Prime Minister and Minister for Pacific Games 2023, Manasseh Sogavare. Prime Minister Sogavare hosted a cocktail reception at the Heritage Poolside, Honiara, expressing welcome to the Sports Ministers.
In his address, Prime Minister Sogavare said, “Welcome to our home – the Hapi Isles. Enjoy our friendly hospitality.” He expressed appreciation to the regional Ministers for accepting the government’s invitation and traveling from their respective countries to participate in the gathering.
Discussing the meeting theme, “Uniting the Pacific Family through Sports,” the Prime Minister expressed hope for the Pacific’s future through sports. He highlighted the challenges faced by the Pacific region, including non-communicable diseases, unemployment, high rates of dependency, and social issues related to crime and lifestyle habits. Prime Minister Sogavare suggested that sports could be a solution, emphasizing its ability to bring people together, unite the region, and contribute to inclusiveness, peace, and prosperity.
Encouraging open discussion, Prime Minister Sogavare urged sports officials to explore new foundations for the growth of sports in the region. The regional sports Ministers were prompted to consider various forms of cooperation, such as exchange programs for Pacific athletes, integration of sporting syllabi into primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, and utilization of high-performance sports institutes in the region to enhance exposure, capacity, and athlete promotion.
Prime Minister Sogavare emphasized the Pacific region’s vision for cooperation in realizing the positive impacts of the sporting industry. The focus was on collaboration to contribute to the development progress of the Pacific through sports.
Source: OPMC Press Secretariat
