By PETER KORUGL
The Morobe provincial government will take over the multi-million kina Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium if the PNG Sports Foundation (PNGSF) is willing to hand it over.
Governor Luther Wenge indicated on Monday in Lae that his government would take over the stadium and maintain it well for future big and international games in PNG.
“Yes, if the people who own the stadium want give it to us, we are prepared to take over and look after it.
“This is only logical because Lae is the central and it is easily accessible from all regions,” Governor Wenge told a press conference.
He said the stadium was rundown and facilities there were in need of repairs but it was apparent that the National Government had not provided any funding for the upkeep of this multi-function facility.
The stadium was built by the Chinese Government in 1991 when PNG hosted the South Pacific Games in Lae and Port Moresby.
The stadium was the venue for swimming, netball, basketball, weightlifting and all track events, among other facilities.
Today there are cracks on the running tracks and courts while the building was falling apart due to lack of maintenance.
A study by a consultant put the cost of the repairs at K3 million.
“The National Government should give some money to the Sports Foundation to fix up the stadium,” Wenge said, adding that continuous neglect would result in the
total collapse of this
important facility.
The PNG Sports Foundation acting executive director John Kambuou was not available yesterday to comment on Governor Wenge’s proposal.
Meanwhile, Morobe is lobbying to keep the PNG Games permanently in Lae and apart from the argument that it was centrally located, the organising committee for this year’s PNG Games was satisfied that it had organised the event successfully.
The committee believes that the PNG Games should be kept in Lae also because it was good for corporate sponsorships.
“I want to thanks all the people and organisations including companies that were involved in the 3rd PNG Games.
“The Games were successfully completed peacefully,” Wenge said, adding his congratulation to Team Morobe for going well in the games.
He said the spirit of the games was to promote united and that was evident during the one-week games.
Eastern Highlands will host the fourth PNG Games in two years time.