The project, funded by the International Olympic Committee's Olympic Solidarity "Olympic Education, Culture and Legacy" programme, will feature important relics chronicling the country's participation at the Pacific Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games over the past 34 years.

The idea for the museum came following a fire that destroyed the Vanuatu Association of Sports And National Olympic Committee (VASANOC) headquarters in 2002.

Every picture, story, archive and piece of memorabilia was lost forever.

Then in 2009, VASANOC appealed to former and current athletes and officials, as well as fans, to donate items representing Vanuatu's sporting heritage, while plans were drafted for the museum and an application for the funding of the project approved by Olympic Solidarity in 2012.

VASANOC is still calling on people to donate items significant to Vanuatu’s sporting heritage ©VASANOC


"Today, VASANOC is proud to inform all that the idea has become a reality and Vanuatu's first 'Sports Museum' is set for an official opening in November," read a statement from the body.

"Most of the items that will be displayed in the 'Sports Museum' will logically be after the fire, however, the appeal to contribute/donate is still open to the public especially to the sporting communities."

VASANOC chief executive Henry Tavoa added: "Yes, it is small now, but everything small grows bigger."

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