7th MSG Sports Committee Meeting held at MSG Secretariat

The 7th MSG Sports Committee Meeting (SCM7) commenced on Wednesday 26 September 2019 at the Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat. The SCM7 was a prefix to the Inaugural MSG Sports Ministers’ Meeting (SMM1) scheduled to be held on Friday.

The Chairman of the MSG Sports Committee Mr. John Susuve, and the longest serving member of the Sports Committee, welcomed the members and thanked them for taking the time out of their busy schedules to attend the 7th SCM, particularly acknowledging members of FLNKS. “I know it’s challenging, but it’s also an opportunity for us to discuss issues for the betterment of our countries and the way forward.” he said.

Mr. Susuve thanked the Director General Ambassador Amena Yauvoli and the Secretariat for the trust bestowed on him as the Chair of the Sports Committee. He also conveyed his appreciation to the Secretariat staff for their hard work in preparing for SCM7, particularly Mr. Bill Henry the newly appointed MSG Sports Development Officer. “It’s going to be an exciting two days of deliberations and I am optimistic for a good meeting outcome that will reflect on the best interests of your members and positively contributing to sports development in the region as a whole.” he said.

The Officer in Charge of the MSG Secretariat, Mr. Ilan Kiloe, welcomed the SCM7 on behalf of the Director General Ambassador Amena Yauvoli, acknowledging and thanking the members and Chair for their commitment and unwavering support towards sports development in the MSG region.

“I am pleased to inform you that the Secretariat under the Leadership of the Director General Ambassador Amena Yauvoli has placed emphasis and importance on the Sports, Arts and Culture programme of the MSG as these programmes act as ‘Glue that binds’ the MSG group together.” Mr. Kiloe added “this had resulted in the realignment of the Secretariat programme this year by establishing Sports, Art and Culture as a stand-alone program.”

Mr. Kiloe reminded the SCM7 that their decisions over the next two days was crucial to the advancement of the MSG Sports development agenda. “Colleagues, I note that you have a substantive agenda for deliberation during this meeting. You will be considering progress and status reports on important activities as well as important documents for sports cooperation between our Members.” He concluded on a high note wishing the members a successful meeting.

The SCM7 made up of representatives from each of the Melanesian States were given an opportunity to update the Committee on sporting development programs in their respective countries including relevant sport issues that require attention. The committee were also updated on the key outcomes from the 6th MSG Sports Committee Meeting held in Kimbe, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea on the 12th and 13th September 2018, including discussions on the outcome of the month long consultations by the MSG Secretariat Sports, Arts and Culture team with sporting bodies and stakeholders in each capital of the MSG States.

The SCM7 were able to provide their feedback along with some useful comments and recommendations. Other discussions included in the agenda was the revival of the once popular Melanesian Football Cup and the possibility of an establishment of a Melanesian Games.

The 7th MSG Sports Committee Meeting concluded with recommendations to be forwarded to the Inaugural MSG Sports Ministers’ Meeting for their final decision. The Inaugural MSG Sports Ministers’ Meeting will be held on Friday 27 September 2019.
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