Tahiti hosts Polynesia Cup basketball tournament

Tahiti is hosting the Polynesia Cup basketball tournament starting today at the Teruhi multi-sports hall in Toahotu from October 19 to 24. The event serves as a preparatory competition for Tahitian teams aiming to qualify for the Pacific Games, which will take place in less than a year.

Tournament structure and participants

The competition includes an initial match against American Samoa and will feature Tahitian teams competing against several nations such as Samoa, Tonga, and the Cook Islands. These teams will vie for one of two available qualification spots for the Pacific Games.

Tahiti's automatic qualification and schedule

Tahiti is automatically qualified as the host country, along with the men's teams from the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea. The final stages of the tournament will take place on Saturday, October 24, with admission to watch the matches priced at 500 francs per day.

Opening ceremony and match schedule

An opening ceremony is planned for Monday, October 19, at 2 PM, followed by Tahiti's match against American Samoa. The tournament schedule includes matches on various days, with the men's and women's finals scheduled for October 24 at 5 PM and 7:30 PM, respectively.

Men's team roster

The men's team includes players such as Rahiti Tinirauarii, Vaikua Doyen-Etaeta, Hiro Bonnet, Byron Vahapata, Keoni Salmon, Ariihau Meuel, Ariirimarau Meuel, Eddy Cummings, Rayan Raoulx, Taumaiterani Perez, Hititua Maihi, Kévin Liu.

Women's team roster

The women's team includes players such as Océane Lefranc, Herehau Teissier, Hauani Epetahui, Herenui Aitamai, Hereiti Salem, Leia Fareata, Homai Pang, Siang Mihiana, Ferlat Moina, Tueinui-Le Beherec, Temana Teururai, Mathilde Bayle, Hereiti Viriamu.