Anis departs for US

By PATRICIA KEAMO
UPCOMING sprinter Emmanuel Anis will depart for the United States (US) on Saturday on a two-year programme at Cloud County Community College in Concordia, Kansas.
Anis started competing during a school carnival in Maprik, East Sepik, before making a breakthrough in last year’s West New Britain athletics championship and national championships.
With a new personal best of 10.63s recorded three weeks ago, the Wewak native will have the chance to compete in US for the next two years while studying for a bachelor in business administration and political science.
Following his performance during the school athletics programme in Maprik, facilitated by coaches Otto Wafia and Malcolm Limbai, Anis joined the provincial athletics team.
With support from East Sepik Governor Allan Bird, Anis will be joining Isila Apkup and a number of other PNG athletes at the college.
Bird said the provincial government was proud to support upcoming Sepik talents, especially in athletics where there were only a few representatives from the two provinces in the national team.
“We wish him well and hope he makes his family and our country proud,” he said.
Athletics Papua New Guinea (APNG) president Tony Green thanked Bird for his support, saying Anis was humbled and excited about the opportunity to go to the US.
“Emmanuel achieved good marks in the Grade 12 exams last year, but missed out on his first choice of study which was political science (PNG studies and international relations) at Divine Word University,” he said.
“He had the option of another institution on a self-sponsor basis, but he and his family decided that he would focus on training this year whilst APNG sought opportunities for him.”
Anis relocated to Port Moresby in February where he joined Nelson Stone’s Nest athletics club and has been training under the former Olympian since.
“Training under Stone is different to what I was doing in Wewak,” Anis said.
The 20 year-old told The National yesterday that once he settled in Kansas, he would focus on his studies and competition to earn a full scholarship at a university.
“My aim is to run a personal best record while there and perform to the best of my abilities on the world stage,” Anis said.
“I am aiming to improve my timing, so I can earn a spot in the national team for the Mini Pacific Games next year and other international events.
“We’ll have competitions at the college, including regional and national championships, so I’m looking forward to that.”
The Sepik native said growing up, his dream was to play for the PNG Kumuls, the national rugby league team.
“I decided to take up sprinting because I see that it’s an individual sport and I can really utilise my speed,” Anis said.