Athletics bags 62 medals

ATHLETICS Papua New Guinea welcomed home its athletes and officials on Sunday from the highly successful, record-breaking Pacific Mini Games in the Northern Marianas.
All 38 athletes and seven officials were met by Athletics PNG secretary Philip Rehder who was among the many families and friends to welcome their heroes from Saipan.
Federation president Tony Green said athletics’ contribution of 62 medals to Team PNG’s total (including six from para-athletes) was a rewarding achievement for the athletes and coaches who had been preparing for the Games over the past two years under trying conditions prompted by Coronavirus restrictions.
He said in his 30 years of involvement with athletics and preparing for many international events, preparations for these Games had been the most challenging.
Green said it was pleasing to reap the rewards of hard work and commitment with athletics once again topping the medal tally with 23 gold, 23 silver and 16 bronze.
All athletes’ performances were outstanding as evident in the medal haul with special mention of Lakona Gerega, Karo Iga and the women’s 4x100m relay for their national records and gold medals.
Adolf Kauba and Scholastica Herman were two junior athletes who made a huge impression.
The team’s performance is also a reflection of their coaches for the effort and commitment they put in.
Head coach Brett Green was instrumental in the athletes’ wellbeing and focus leading up to and during the Games.
His professionalism and hard work was supported by Subul Babo, Nelson Stone, Philip Kamane and Malcom Limbai.
Rehder thanked team managers Kylie Martins and Sharon Atuai for their tireless work in getting all the necessary travel requirements in place and meeting other Team PNG protocols.
The success of the athletics team was also attributed to the backing of major sponsors PNG Air and Prima Smallgoods.
The support of the National Sports Institute, Kumul Consolidated Holdings, through the PNG Olympic Committee, and the PNG Sports Foundation enabled the federation to hold training camps and regional and national championships ahead of the Pacific Mini Games.