The National – PACIFIC Games Council president Vidhya Lakhan, who was in Port Moresby for a week, left on a happy note, confident that everything will fall in place come the Games on July 4.
His mood was not the same less than a month ago when he left after checking out venues. He described the outlook as “very positive” this time, so much so that he would not have to visit again until Games time unless something of concern cropped up.
His main concern at this stage remains the testing of the venues in the short time the Games organising committee will have – about a month before the opening ceremony on July 4. If there are problems with and in venues, will there be time to fix them?
Lakhan, who met with the Venues Infrastructure and Implementation Committee last Tuesday, was assured by chairman Paul Stangroom that all venues and the Games Village would be ready despite some rushed work and the small time frame. The Games infrastructure, which is valued at K1.2 billion, includes the Taurama Aquatic Centre, Sir John Guise Stadium and indoor complex, and the Bisini sports grounds (soccer, netball, lawn bowls, touch, softball and cricket).
“I have no concerns. I was at the Pacific Games Authority and the VIEC people presented a very good report on Tuesday,” Lakhan said. “It was very positive and the VIEC chief executive Paul Stangroom is very confident and he assured me that the venues and accommodation would be ready,” he told The National.
Lakhan said some venues would not be ready but there were alternatives, while some would be completed after the Games but the necessary parts to run the games would be in place.
“The Rita Flynn netball courts won’t be ready but that’s fine.
“We have made alternative arrangements where we are going to move netball and table tennis and other sports so that’s fine.
Adjustments have been made.
” In terms of the accommodation for visiting teams, Lakhan said the Games Village would be adequate for the 3000 athletes and officials. Their arrivals and departures would be staggered over the course of two-week event.
Some would arrive, compete in their sports and leave and others would arrive. “They’re building 10 blocks for the accommodation (Games Village). We will get eight blocks.
“When I was here in November I was told that we would get only six blocks but when we looked at arrivals, departures of athletes, we said that we can manage with six.
“Now we’re confirmed we’ll get eight for sure and with a little bit of luck we will get the other two, but the two might not be finished and out-fitted and all that — but we can still use them,” Lakhan said.
“They’ll (teams) come in waves. First week, they play their sports, and when it’s over they go back. “Some will stay for the whole two weeks but (generally) they’ll come in two waves.
” The venues are scheduled to be handed over to the organising committee on May 31which would leave organisers about a month to test and rectify any problems that may arise. Lakhan, who arrived in Port Moresby last Sunday, attended the technical delegates’ meeting on Friday and Saturday.
– The National