By Philip Hope - (IF Delegate, SPBBF president.)

I have just recently returned from a very successful trip to (Apia which is the capital city) Samoa where I met and networked with all Chef Demission, NOC delegates from 22 countries of the South Pacific and the key representatives from SASNOC & Games Planning Committee and South Pacific Games Council.

I am very grateful to my good friend and colleague Vui Tapasu Leung-Wai; President, SASNOC, Chairman of the 2007 South Pacific Games Organizing Committee, President of Samoa Bodybuilding & Power lifting Federation, Executive Vice President SPBBF & Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs, for his (and that of his colleagues) warmth, hospitality and openness with respect all elements of planning for the upcoming Games.

It is evident that the Government in Samoa have put many millions into the Games by way of capital & facility development of venues, with the goal of lifting the bar at the 2007 Games. The quality of the facilities completed to date are world class and they will certainly provide enduring benefits for many sports codes in Samoa as well as provide a platform to host other major events in the future, from which the region as a whole will benefit.

The sport of bodybuilding is fortunate to be able to use the newly completed International Weightlifting Stadium in Samoa for the Bodybuilding prejudging & finals events at the Games in August. 

As part of Games planning, I was fortunate to be able to visit the proposed venues for sports competition, related meetings and accommodation etc My sincere thanks go to our Games appointed Competition Manager Mr Rimoni Aiafi, who is a respected member of Parliament and avid supporter of Bodybuilding.

Having now had the benefit of visits to all related venues, this has enabled me to progress planning (subject to SASNOC approval) with respect to the bodybuilding competition and related program which will be covered in full in the official games manual for the sport of bodybuilding. 

Seminar Monday 27th August
Seminar Tuesday 28th August
SPBBF Congress Wednesday 29th August
Team Managers Meeting Thursday am 29th August
Judges Meeting Thursday 29th August
Athletes weigh-in Thursday 30th August
Competition Prejudging Friday am 31st August
Competition Finals Friday pm 31st August

My thanks must also go to Paul Coffa, MBE, Secretary General of Oceania Weightlifting for his support (the OWF is based in Samoa) as the bodybuilding event will follow on from the weightlifting program (much the same as was the case at the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar) and we will therefore benefit from the venue set up, bar a few adjustments to the stage platform and the stage lighting.

Attending a planning forum of this kind in Samoa also lent the opportunity to talk to other IOC sports representatives (including IF Delegates) about the similar challenges we face to advance our individual sports throughout member countries of the South Pacific.

I am sincerely grateful to two key senior officials, Paul Allsworth and John Tierney of the Cook Islands for their continuing support of Bodybuilding. In spite of its status as a small sport we have developed some great athletes over the past five years and I am hopeful that the Cook Islands will share in the medals this August in our beloved sport of bodybuilding.

For further information contact South Pacific Bodybuilding Federation spbbf@slingshot.co.nz

Best Regards

Philip Hope.