Athletics PNG stepping up preparations for Pacific Games

ATHLETICS Papua New Guinea is ramping up its preparations for next year’s Pacific Games in Samoa with 27 athletes now training under coaches Dior Lowry, Wala Gime and Rupert Warigi in Goroka.
According to a statement from Athletics PNG, jumps coach Phillip Newton had just concluded a 12-day visit to the National Sports Institute (NSI) where he conducted a camp for eleven jumps and multi-event athletes assisted by Warigi, Eunice Steven and Allan Akia.
“With many squad members now on holidays, they are being encouraged to remain in Goroka to prepare for the final selection trials in January and February,” the statement said.
“A group of sprinters and distance runners from Rabaul, Kimbe and Port Moresby will join the athletes early next week along with coach Subul Babo and the final group to arrive will be the middle long distance runners from Chimbu.
“The number of athletes in camp is expected to peak at around 50 over the festive period.”
Athletics PNG president Tony Green thanked NSI director Janet Gimots, PNG Olympic Committee, Prima Smallgoods, Lae Biscuit Company and Trukai Industries.
“Athletics PNG also has 11 athletes in United States colleges preparing for the track and field season which gets underway after Christmas,” the statement said.
“They include Tuna Tine, Esther Boram and Poro Gahekave who have all recently completed a very good cross country season which gives a great foundation for a programme of track races.
“Athletics was one the sports commended by chef de mission Emma Waiwai for submitting a progress report to the Samoa Games meeting on Monday.
“Athletics team manageress Nola Peni said in her report that coaches are reporting that Athletics is in a much better position with eight months to go to the games than at the same stage previously and that the team are focused on maintaining their No.1 ranking in the Pacific.
“Athletics PNG is working on a schedule of competitions in Goroka in January before going down to sea level for further trials.”