THE theme of the Sol2023 Pacific Games ‘Challenge, Celebrate, Unite’ has been well reflected on by the Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Rod Hilton this week at the handing over of the Australian-funded Iumi Water Sports Facility in Honiara.
The SBD4.63-million facility will host the three water sports during the 17th Pacific Games (Sol2023 Pacific Games) – Va’a, Kayaking and Sailing. This facility is part of Australia’s close to SBD$100 million assistance towards the games. It was designed and built by Solomon Islands constructors.
In his reflection on the word ‘challenge’, High Commissioner Hilton said for a project as water sports facility, just like all other infrastructures for the Sol2023 Pacific Games, was an incredible challenge as it paid for a huge amount of effort.
“A project like this, just like all of the infrastructure, all of the work that goes into the Pacific games, is an incredible challenge, and it does take a huge amount of effort. Its easy for people like me who can come at the end and give a speech and very graciously get thanked but really,
“These things happen because of the extraordinary hard work of people who have gone through challenging times, face the weather, face other challenges in making infrastructure like this work. It was only 12 months ago that this has been announced, the work has been exceptional, hard and challenging.
“It was done by local companies and it was all locals working on this, so I do want to acknowledge, this is very much a Solomon Islands project and it was Solomon Islanders who rouse to met that challenge and exceeded that challenge. Thankfully the challenge now that will take place here as a sporting kind, and I do hope Prime Minister, this is one of the facilities that contributes to your 40 plus medal tally.
Reflecting on the word ‘celebrate’, High Commissioner Hilton said obviously Tuesday 5 September 2023 was a day to celebrate the achievement of all the local contractors who worked on the Iumi Water Sports Facility.
“Obviously, today is a day where we can celebrate, we can celebrate, as I have been reflecting the achievements of all of the local workers who worked on tis facilities.
“This was a project conceived by, designed by and delivered by Solomon Islanders. That is a reason to celebrate. This is the first hosting of the Pacific Games by Solomon Islanders. That is a reason to celebrate. This is an opportunity and a chance to showcase your beautiful country, your beautiful culture not only to the region but to the world who will be tuning in. Today I’m very pleased too, that as part of the culture, this facility will also contribute to you being able to express some of that. I was an eager participant in the launch of the Baton and rally, and of course the unveiling of the baton which I really thought was fantastic being a paddle.
And I listen carefully Prime minister, to the words today in terms of selection and the importance of the paddle for Solomon Islanders, something that united all of the provinces, all of the people, that location near water, and unites not only Solomon islanders but right across the Pacific in this great blue continent that we inhabit.”
“So really in terms of when we think of the word “Unite” we can think of this facility, water sports, pacific games uniting, uniting not only everyone across the Solomon Islands to be cheering on and proud of those hard working athletes for everything that the have put in but also proud to show case the country, country to the region and to the world and this would be the game that will unite the whole of the pacific as well and is a fantastic achievement in that respect
“So further to Challenge, Celebrate and Unite, I just want to reflect on two further concepts, ‘Partnership and Connection”.
“In partnership, we have been pleased to partner with the Solomon Islands on the Pacific Games. We are not the only ones of course, there are others who have made significant contributions. I pay my respect to the People’s Republic of China, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, South Korea, New Zealand, Japan, Saudi Arabia, for all of their contributions and so to the Prime Minister, a real testament to the Solomon Islands standing in the region and in the world, and the you have collected all those partners to work with you on this incredibly important national project”.
“For our part, we have been pleased to partner with the Solomon Islands on a partnership worth close up to 100 million Solomon Dollars. That included the facilities we here to celebrate today, the opening of the Iumi Water Sports Park and I love, love the title, really signifying and drawing out that unite theme we spoked about, it is also funding the refurbishment of classrooms and dormitories in 7 schools right across Honiara and hopefully we will be in a position to open some of them shortly. Those facilities will not only accommodate the athletes but importantly after the games, will be a real legacy for the schools and for future students.
“Our packages also covered some technical advisers and athlete’s equipment Importantly and as I was reflecting before on the role that Solomon Islanders who have been the ones who have delivered these facilities, our support has been targeted to maximising the involvement and engagement and leadership of Solomon Islanders and I’m pleased to report to you today, that in total across those projects, we have employed over 1000 local Solomon Islanders to work on those projects and engaged over 56 local companies to work and deliver those projects. I’d like to pay my thanks to them for their work and professionalism”.
“On top of and outside the package of support, we’re also pleased that our volunteers’ program has been directed towards supporting and we currently have eight volunteers currently working towards the Pacific games right across the sports, physiotherapy to other issues, hopefully given Australia’s competing they are not giving away too many secrets, but they are definitely here and working closely with Solomon Islands teams.
“Through the course program, we’ve also engaged the clean up and focus on some of the facilities around Honiara to really beautify and bring out the great city for people, and I was pleased and only met last week with the Prime Minister to convey, Our Prime minister, Prime Minister Albanese’s support for enhancing our security assistance for the games, to make sure the games are fun and they are an expression of Solomon Islands and a celebration that are also safe. And our security of course assists on some of the Policing support working closely with regional partners in particular the Papua New Guinea, but also some support around immigration processes and cyber security as well.
“That’s partnership, but probably, the thing that really pleased me most about this event is as a high commissioner here is the next thing which is connections. These games are part of a connection between our countries. Our two countries situated in the pacific region and of course I’m happy that we will send a record breaking number of Australian Athletes to compete in these games, we have never sent more to any pacific games, this would be a record for Australia, but even more importantly than that and anything I said today, I’m really pleased to acknowledge the efforts of other community clubs and people around Australia, who feel a connection to the Solomon Islands and feel as connection to the people and communities here.
“Those people and communities, when they heard and this want with no government involved, so I’m not saying this is Australian government. When the heard for example, the water sports park has been built and there was a need for new outrigger canoes and other equipment, on their own back, clubs from across Australia heard that message and started to organise themselves to donate some outrigger canoes. Not supported by the government but themselves. And they are right across Australia. So, can I acknowledge the Nusa Outrigger club, the Polynesia Outrigger club in Brisbane, the hurricane paddling crew in Perth, so if ever you are wondering do people in Australia outside of Brisbane know about the pacific games? Absolutely! I don’t think we could get further in Perth in Australia. the Pacific Games package, we have been able to engage our volunteers’ program. It’s been directed towards sporting and we have eight volunteers currently working with the Pacific Games.”
The handing over of the Iumi Water Sports Facility on Tuesday also saw the blessing of canoes gifted by Australia’s Outrigger Clubs and their launching into the water.
By IAN LADDS
Solomon Star, Honiara
