Aust praised for helping PNG athletes

PAPUA New Guinea Olympic Committee general secretary Auvita Rapilla has praised the Australian government for assisting national athletes with A$250,000 (K595,200) ahead of next year’s Games in Tokyo, Japan.
The Australian High Commission said in a statement that the assistance “will give PNG athletes world-class preparation in their bid to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games to be held in July” next year.
“This is great news for our athletes because we have a number of them here who are still trying to qualify for the Olympic Games,” she said during an Olympic Day workout at Ela Beach in Port Moresby yesterday.
“Since the Olympics have been deferred to next year, the extension of the qualification process has also been communicated to us so we have the new schedules available to our athletes.
“This support is timely, especially during this trying times where it has been difficult for us to try to raise funds to support the athletes to help them in their aspirations to qualify and represent PNG.
“We’re extremely grateful to the Australian government.
“We’re proud to be part of a broader partnership between PNG and Australia.
“We share a long history and we’ve extended the partnership into sports.”
Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp acknowledged PNG’s athletes and coaches working towards the Olympics.
“We’re proud to do this,” he said.
“I’ve met a lot of world-class athletes and I wish them every success. “We regard them as teammates of Australia and we look forward to seeing them all in Tokyo next year.”