By SUSAN OREAPE-FARAPO
PAPUA New Guinea’s golden boy, Ryan Pini will receive his MBE medal today at Government House ñ two years after he was honoured with it by the Queen.
Pini was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to sports in Papua New Guinea in 2004.
It is no surprise for the Pini family as Ryan’s grandfather John Pini was awarded an MBE medal some few years back as a sports administrator for the PNG Sports Federation.
Ryan Pini will be among more than a hundred recipients who will be receiving their award at Government House today.
“I am very proud of my achievement,” Pini said yesterday after arriving from Australia.
His commitment to swimming had earned him the medal - not only that but he has been a true ambassador of the country in swimming pools at international events.
Pini could not make it back home earlier to receive his medal due to his training commitments and preparations for the Commonwealth Games.
“I could not make it due to my intensive training for the Commonwealth Games and also had a shoulder injury last year. Now is the best time for me to receive my medal Ö because I don’t know what I will be doing next year,” Pini said.
Two weeks ago Pini competed at the FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup 2007 in Sydney.