Papua New Guinea is looking forward to welcoming New Zealand and Australia into the Pacific Games family and says they are relishing the added competition.
The Trans-Tasman neighbours accepted an invitation to enter teams in taekwondo, weightlifting, sailing and rugby sevens in Port Moresby, in the first step towards an expanded Continental Games.
The four sports are all ones where the Pacific nations have proven competitive in the past and Team PNG Chef de Mission Richard Kassman says the hosts are embracing the challenge.
"It's quite exciting. Particularly New Zealand are very high up in sailing and so is Cook [Islands] in the world, and in our region, so this will really push our guys. The rugby sevens is going to be a fantastic competition and I'm hoping the international television etc covers those events".
The Pacific Games begin in just under six weeks.
