Athletics gearing up for Games

ATHLETICS PNG has entered the New Year running its programmes with little rest over the Christmas break for the national athletics squad who are gearing up for the final selection trials for the Pacific Games next month.
Athletics PNG president Tony Green said competitions were planned for Goroka and Kimbe to assist them finalise their selections ahead of the PNG Olympic Committee’s justification committee meeting in March.
The PNGOC has set Feb 27 as the deadline for nominations for the final team.
Athletics PNG will consider competition results from 2018 and these trials in finalising its team for the Games in accordance with its selection policy.
“Athletics PNG has over the course of the last few months gradually increased the number of athletes in camp with the number now at its peak of 47 with athletes from Simbu, Lae, East New Britain, New Ireland, NCD/Central, Madang, Eastern Highlands, Sepik and Western,” Green said.
“Coaches Dior Lowry, Subul Babo, Wala Gime, Rupert Warigi, camp manager Sarah Ageda and physiotherapist Monsy Uviro are looking after the squad in camp.
“Athletics PNG is grateful to NSI director Janet Gimots for her support for the programme and key sponsors PNG Air and Prima Smallgoods,” Green said.
There will be competitions in Goroka Jan 19 and 26 and officials are working on arrangements to take the squad to Kimbe for competitions on the synthetic track and with electronic timing in use.
Competition is expected to be fierce in the men’s sprints, especially the 400m, which has traditionally been PNG’s strongest event.
“PNG is in the enviable position of having six to eight quality athletes vying for places in the individual 400m and 4x400m including established athletes Ephraim Lerkin, Benjamin Aliel, Theo Piniau, Emmanuel Wanga, Kaminiel Matlaun, and with quality newcomers Shadrick Tansi and Daniel Baul also in the mix,” Green said.
“The women’s middle and long distance races are also expected to be competitive with Jenny Albert in good form, Donna Koniel on the comeback trail and young athletes emerging such as Lyanne Tibu, Monica Kalua and Mary Tenge.”
Jumps coach Phillip Newton returns on Jan 15 for his second visit, to check on the progress of his athletes and see them compete in the first trials in Kimbe.
“Whilst Goroka is a great training environment, the conditions there are not ideal for jumps competition and you really need an all-weather track,” Newton said.
“The athletes will need a few days of practice in Kimbe to adjust their run ups. Throws coach Brett Green, who worked with Debono Paraka in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games where Paraka set a new national record of 52.60m, arrives in Goroka on Friday to spend 10 days with the throwers and multi event athletes at the camp.” In response to questions about disciplinary issues, APNG confirmed that two athletes had been dismissed from camp in August for breaching the ‘no alcohol’ rule. “One was readmitted after apologising and submitting a letter of appeal while the other athlete involved decided to train in his home province,” Green said.
Green took the opportunity to remind all athletes seeking to earn a place in the team that they needed to register their interest with Athletics PNG and sign a letter to confirm that they had read the selection policy and were aware of the administrative requirements.
Athletes must be in good standing with APNG to be considered for selection. Anyone with any queries on this matter can email APNG on [email protected] or contact one of our officials.