APNG seeking nod to use venue

By PATRICIA KEAMO
ATHLETICS Papua New Guinea is liaising with authorities for national athletes to train at Sir John Guise Stadium when the Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation (PNGSF) re-opens its venues at the end of the month.
President Tony Green said his federation had also sought approval from Deputy National Pandemic Response Controller Dr Daoni Esorom and foundation executive director Albert Veratau for athletes to train in small groups.
Foundation venue management manager David Aua said the stadium would remain closed due the Coronavirus (Covid-19) measures in effect until Oct 30.
“We are liaising closely with (foundation pandemic management committee chairman) Dr Kapua Kapua for approval to resume training in small groups,” Green told The National.
“However, with the stadium on lockdown, it seems we will have to wait another week at least for national squad athletes to be allowed to use the track.
“We hope to gain approval for athletes to train in small groups following strict Covid-19 protocols at the stadium which after all is a big open space.
“We have also issued a statement in the last few days encouraging all our athletes and officials to get vaccinated in preparation to travel to competitions.”
Green said their priority was to ensure that athletes could continue training for the remaining legs of the PNG Air Grand Prix Series and the national championships. He said athletes who were using the foundation’s venues had been encouraged to look for alternatives to continue training.
“Coach Allan Akia, in Lae, is taking his athletes to work out on the road to Mt Lunaman several times a week and a large group of athletes went to Labu last weekend to do some training there on the beach,” Green said. “Clearly, the situation is likely to have an impact on the Southern Championships which were planned for Nov 6-7.
“No decision has been made yet and we are waiting to see what happens in the next week or so.
“For the New Guinea Islands, we haven’t heard any reports of lockdowns or measures in East New Britain that will affect the event.
“We are confident that the PNG Air Grand Prix meet in Kimbe will go ahead as it does not involve a large gathering of people.
“It’s just a few events and a small number of athletes and officials, and we are liaising with the authorities in Kimbe on this matter.”
Green said every effort would be made to ensure the national championships were staged.