Athletes given nod on facilities

THE Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation’s (PNGSF) decision to allow Olympic hopefuls to resume training will enable them to gain access to training facilities, says PNG Olympic Committee (PNGOC) secretary-general Auvita Rapilla.
The athletes had found it challenging to train during the shutdown of venues but now with access granted, they will resume preparations for qualifiers and the Olympic Games, which are less than 90 days away.
“This will allow the athletes to gain access to training facilities and the PNG High Performance Sport services, including the gym,” Rapilla told The National yesterday.
“They had found it challenging to continue training without access to proper facilities and equipment.”
She said, so far, PNG had two athletes who had qualified for the Tokyo Games through sailing while others were yet to either complete their qualification events or were awaiting the outcome of the tripartite invitation (also known as wild card entries) and universality places.
“PNG has submitted an application for six athletes across weightlifting, boxing, table tennis, triathlon and shooting,” Rapilla said.
“Based on each sport’s qualification systems, the allocation will be done after all qualification events have concluded.
“In the cases where qualification events have been cancelled, we are hoping that our athletes will be selected through the tripartite places.
“Athletics and swimming have universality places which will be awarded.
“For athletics, there’s only one spot and two places for swimming (one man and one woman).
“Allocation for the tripartite and universality places will be made known in June.”
Meanwhile, Rapilla said funding for Team PNG had been a challenge but through PNGOC’s fundraising efforts and grants from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, they were able to support the country’s preparations.
“Travel, logistics, uniforms and Games-time expenses are regarded as participation expenses,” she said.
“PNGOC — through its fundraising initiatives — is funding these Games-time expenses, and is working on obtaining more funds to cover expenses that will be forthcoming.”