‘Homeless’ PNG team bags silver medal at Masters

THE 7th World Masters Games has wrapped up in Sydney after some remarkable efforts, and none more so than that of the Papua New Guinea Touch Football Team.
They team arrived in Sydney to find no accommodation had been arranged, and they spent two nights on the streets.
The team manager eventually rang the principal of Christ Mission Possible, Abraham Akkary, who arranged accommodation.
Mr Akkary said the team were despondent when he found them.
“They were down and out. No one thought they would play. They were just ready to give up and go back to PNG,” he said.
“They absolutely did fantastic for two nights out on the streets in Sydney. And being in the church we prayed for them and lifted their spirits to the point they went all the way to play for gold,” he said.
The team lost in the gold medal playoff.
PNG’s 55+ badminton team were also awarded silver medals on Tuesday night while their 40+ colleagues won the bronze medal in the World Masters Games, where more than 28,000 competitors are participating.
Team members were handed their medals at a gala dinner held at Sydney’s Olympic Park.