|
Sports |
Athletics spots still up for grabs
By HENRY MORABANG
Positions in the PNG athletics0 team to the Pacific Games in
Apia, Samoa, are up for grabs, says PNG Athletics Union
secretary Philip Rehder.
Rehder said yesterday that the competition for places is getting
hotter as squad members gear up for the forthcoming national
athletics championship in Lae next month.
He said that the June 29 event will definitely attract a quality
of sprinters fighting for the men’s relay squad spot including
Peter Pulu, Wally Kirika, Henry Ben, Elias Roboam, Anton Lui,
Kupun Wisil, Andrew Doonar, Fabian Niulai, Levi Albert, Waname
Egora, Mowen Boino and Wala Gime.
He said that in the women events, the selection in the past has
been quite soft even though there were many quality female
athletes available, especially for 400 metre and 4x400m relay
team.
Rehder said the return of Ann Mooney to competition was a boost
for PNG’s gold chances in the women sprint and team events in
Apia. “She will definitely add spice to the competition as Toea
Wisil, Mae Koime, Betty Burua, Salome Bell, Cecilia Kumalalmene
and other will be aiming for the spot in the relay squad,” he
added.
He urged on-the-fringe athletes to consider other events like
the hurdles in order to secure a place in the Apia team.
Rehder said Arafura Games silver medallist Delilah Kami of
Madang has been drafted back into the squad for specialist
coaching in high jump and long jump while Sandy Katusele
continues to impress coach Peter Edwards in Brisbane.
He said that the union was expecting a good turnout for the June
championship despite the event falling during the National
Elections period.
He said that indications were that East New Britain and New
Ireland were gearing up to send reasonable sized teams and that
Port Moresby will also send a team. However, he added that the
union was not expecting large numbers from the Highlands.
Rehder said a four-day national squad camp will be conducted
immediately after the Lae championship with Australia-based
coach Lloyd Way and field events coach Bill McKenny coming from
Brisbane. Following the camp, a travelling team for Apia will be
announced.
 
|
