3 Jul 2015

New Caledonia pegged as Pacific Games favourites

8:22 am on 3 July 2015

Papua New Guinea's Sports Minister says New Caledonia are the biggest threat to top the Pacific Games medal tally.

The opening ceremony for the 2011 Pacific Games in New Caledonia.

The opening ceremony for the 2011 Pacific Games in New Caledonia. Photo: AFP

Basketball, touch rugby, football and table tennis will get the Pacific Games programme underway in Port Moresby this morning, with the opening ceremony tomorrow at the Sir John Guise Stadium.

More than 3000 athletes will contest 28 sports over the next fortnight, while New Zealand and Australia will also make their Games debut.

Justin Tkatchenko said he was confident that Papua New Guinea was completely ready for its hosting duties, and said the Games would showcase and promote the country.

He predicted Papua New Guinea would bring in a sizeable medal haul, but that their biggest challengers would be New Caledonia.