China hands over keys to Multipurpose Gymnasium and other venues for the Pacific Games

20 June 2019 Apia Samoa. The Government of China handed over the keys to various Pacific Games venues at Tuanaimato and Apia Park today.

The venues included the Multipurpose Gymnasium, Aquatic Center and the renovated Apia Park Stadium.

The venues are ready and fully functional for the use of athletes and spectators for the upcoming Pacific Games.

Speaking at the ceremony Chinese Ambassador to Samoa Chao Xiaoliang said amongst the three venues the most challenging one was the Multipurpose Gymnasium.

“The venues have been completed in a speedy and high quality manner, they are shiny and fully functional and world class,” he said.

“The Gym’s floor space covers an area of 40,000 square meters and is equipped with 1,600 spectator seats and it will be able to hold many
games such as basketball, netball, volleyball, badminton and ping pong.”

Ambassador Chao added the completion of the project was a miracle given that it was built from scratch in less than 9 months.

He also said the workers have overcome many challenges including the shortage of building materials, bad weather and not enough rest.

“The Chinese conctruction team have worked day and night without having any vacations in their 9 months of intense hard work,” said Ambassador
Chao.

“They overcome many difficulties as well, such as shortage of building materials, wet rainy seasons and ferocious attack from mosquitoes.”

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi acknowledged the support from the Chinese Government for funding the project.

The support from China was not just for the funding of venues, it also included sports equipment, 87 vehicles, fireworks, clothing material and performance props for the 2019 Pacific Games.

Tuilaepa highlighted the value of the partnership between Samoa and China as a development partner able to respond to specific needs from time to time.

“O le tatalo ia tumau pea le tatou faiga paaga ma le malo o Saina ina ia maua ai pea lo tatou toomaga e ala i nei mau fesoasoani e tele, ma le atina’eina o si o tatou atunuu e ala i le fausia o nei malae ma
fale taaalo e atia’e ai taleni a fanau o le asõ, ma taeao.”

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