Tahiti reaffirms mini games boycott

5:49 pm on 4 November 2017
The running track at the Korman Complex.

This month's Pacific Mini Games will be held in Vanuatu, without a French Polynesian team. Photo: Supplied/Pacific Games Council

Tahiti has reconfirmed that it will boycott next month's Mini Games in Vanuatu.

The French Polynesian president Edouard Fritch has received the heads of the local sports federations led by the chef de mission for the Games Charles Villerme.

Mr Fritch says he has been affected by events but it is important to respect the federations' decision, underlining the need for the sporting world to give an image of cohesion and unity.

The boycott was first announced late last month over disagreements with the Games Council over which boxers should represent Tahiti.

Mr Villerme thanked the government for allocating US$400,000 for going to the Mini Games, which Mr Fritch has now redirected towards preparing for the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa.