The fourth edition of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Prime Minister’s Cup will be held in Port Moresby from 4 - 18 October 2025, following the signing of a Host Agreement between the MSG and the Government of Papua New Guinea, through the PNG Sports Foundation today.
This followed the end of day one of the MSG Sports Stakeholder Consultation on the MSG Prime Ministers Cup in Port Vila, Vanuatu this afternoon.
The Agreement will now commit the Government of PNG’s budgetary support in preparation for the hosting of the 4th Edition of the MSG PM’s Cup.
In his opening remarks, the MSG Chair and Sports Minister Hon. MP Job Sam Andy, Minister of Justice, Youth and Community Services, welcomed the delegation and officials from the PNG Sports Foundation and commended the 2025 theme of the MSG PM’s Cup - “Supporting a healthy Melanesia through Sports”.
The tournament he said, is one of the flagship events of the MSG and a standing mandate by the MSG Leaders for Members to host it on a rotational basis. “Football is connected to the livelihoods and future of the people of Melanesia, a sport that not only builds our nations’ pride and identity but has also put the region on the world map.”
He added it is imperative that sports is connected to the development of Melanesia’s youth as a mechanism for dealing with social issues to improve their status. Acting Director General of the MSG Secretariat, Ilan Kiloe, in his remarks stated that the Sports programme has and will continue to help the MSG chart its course. “The success of this Consultation proves yet again the ongoing commitments of the Membership for youth and sports development, and we will continue to celebrate our achievements as we look forward to the milestones through the vision of our Leaders,” he said.
“Sports is an important programme of the MSG Secretariat and for the MSG, Sports including Arts and Culture acts as a glue that binds everyone together despite our diverse political, cultural and religious views,” Mr Kiloe added. Vanuatu was the proud host of the inaugural MSG PM’s Cup in September 2022 in Port Vila when PNG emerged as winner. New Caledonia hosted the 2nd Edition in October 2023 which saw Solomon Islands coming out victorious while the 3rd Edition was hosted in the Solomon Islands in December 2024 which saw PNG winning for the second time. Fiji will host the tournament's 5th Edition in 2026.
Credit: MSG Secretariat