Rapilla made IOC member

Sports

A significant milestone in Papua New Guinea sports took place with the appointment of PNG Olympic Committee secretary-general Auvita Rapilla as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The 45-year-old is among eight new members elected at the 129th IOC session that last Friday ahead of the Rio Olympics opening ceremony.
The other members are Nita Ambani (India), Sari Essayah (Finalnd), Ivo Ferriani (Italy), Luis Moreno (Colombia), Anant Singh (South Africa), Tricia Smith (Canada) and Karl Stoss (Austria).
The IOC said the newly-elected members represented a cross-section of expertise covering sport, culture, medicine, sociology, business, law and management. Gender equality is guaranteed with four women and four men on the list.
Members of the IOC represent and promote the interests of the IOC and of the Olympic Movement in their countries and in the organisations of the Olympic movement in which they serve.
They are also responsible for voting on the key decisions related to the Olympics including which cities win the right to host the Olympic Games and which sports are on the programme for the Olympics.
The election took place on the last day of the IOC session which was held in Rio de Janeiro in a lead-up to the Games.
Earlier in the session, the IOC members approved the five new sports to be part of the programme of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Rapilla said her inclusion as one of the 115 IOC members reflected the hard work of the PNGOC and its members, stakeholders and partners.
“The experience is overwhelming and truly humbling,” Rapilla said.
“I would not have come this far without the support of all those involved with sport in PNG and the Oceania whom I have benefited from working with and for this I am truly grateful.” Rapilla said.
She said the aim of PNGOC’s new strategic direction was to be the best performing National Olympic Committee in the Pacific region and to be appointed as an IOC member was a reflection of the dedication and hard work of the organisation as a whole.
Rapilla’s appointment to the IOC is the first for PNG since it gained Olympic status in 1974.
The appointment is a highlight of Rapilla’s career.
She also sits on various regional and international committees and boards.
These include being an executive committee member of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC), board member of the PNG Olympic Committee (PNGOC) and board member of the 2015 Pacific Games Authority, among others.
Apart from her role as a leader in sports administration, Rapilla is also actively involved in community awareness involving women’s issues, health and environment.
Rapilla holds a Masters in Sport Organisation Management (MEMOS) and a degree in public administration.
Her main love however, is sport and she has served it undeterred since joining the PNG Olympic Committee in 1994.
PNGOC president Sir John Dawanincura said Rapilla’s achievements in her various roles was a reflection of her professionalism, dedication and commitment to her work.