Following the immersive and impressive Opening Ceremony for the 5th Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa – the largest-ever cultural performance the Pacific island nation had ever presented featuring 1% of the island’s population as volunteer cast – seven of the nine sports kick off today, Monday 7 September, across two sporting complexes.
“After a genuinely inspiring opening event, our attention now turns to the field of play and the sporting competition about to take place between our young Commonwealth athletes, many experiencing a multi-sport environment for the very first time. Samoa and its people should be rightly proud of all the work they have done to stage this significant event – and the athletes are ready to deliver clean and impactful sporting performances that engage and inspire Samoa’s crowds and communities” Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Executive David Grevemberg commented.
The Athletics and Tennis action starts at Apia Park Complex, with Aquatics, Boxing, Lawn Bowls, Squash and Weightlifting all commencing at Tuana’imato Sports Facility. Events include the 100m and 1500m finals of Athletics and 200m Freestyle, 200m Butterfly and 100m Backstroke Swimming finals.
“I can’t wait to start so I can show Samoa how hard we’ve been training. It’s very nice to have all the different personalities from all the Commonwealth countries in Samoa. I want the other athletes to see how happy Samoan people are, all the athletes are very welcome here. I hope to make a PB in our pool, I want to make my family and my country proud – I get my strength from God.” 15 year old Swimmer Sitivi Sooaemalelagi, from Samoa commented.
“I am feeling good, I’ve been training since I was 9, I enjoy the travel. My biggest motivator is to make my mum and dad proud. I also like the time off school. I like being here in Samoa, I like being in the Commonwealth Youth Games, I get to meet lots of other nations and similar people from the islands like me. I am hoping to win something… something gold.” 13 year old Ricci Pheaulika Daniel, a Weightlifter from Nauru commented.

Sports at The Commonwealth Youth Games: Aquatics (Swimming), Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Lawn Bowls, Rugby Sevens, Squash, Tennis and Weightlifting
Previous hosts of the Commonwealth: the Isle of Man in 2011, Pune, India (2008), Bendigo, Australia (2004) and Edinburgh, Scotland (2000)