Games to attract more than 5,000 athletes

By SAMPSON BONAI
MORE than 5,000 athletes have confirmed their attendance at the PNG Games in Lae on Nov 16-24.
PNG Games media and publicity officer David Haro said yesterday that they were expecting around 4,500 athletes and officials but the numbers have increased to over the 5,000 mark.
“We are expecting a increased number of athletes to converge on Lae and have worked around the clock to secure accommodation and transportation arrangements for all the provinces that will attend,” Haro said.
“It is imperative that all provinces must comply with all the accreditation requirements at certain locations around the sporting venues upon their arrival in Lae to avoid any disappointments as they will strictly follow the names that have been submitted by the provinces for accreditation purposes,” he added.
“The teams must be reminded that we only make accommodation and transportation arrangements to and from all the sporting venues and it is the responsibility of the provinces to meet their own accommodation expenses. Transportation arrangements had been made to transport athletes to and from the sporting venues only and other arrangements are the responsibility of the participating provinces.”
Haro also said that upgrading work had been carried all the sporting venues around Lae for the hosting of the 17 sporting activities during the PNG Games.
The following sporting venues had been confirmed to host the respective games during the PNG Games, Lae Football Association (soccer), Lae league (league 9s), Show ground (main arena), SCRUM (2 ovals), Lae Basketball Courts, Lae Bowls Club, Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium (indoor and outdoor).