Bank backs PNGSI

 PNG Swimming Inc along with sponsor Bank South Pacific announced  an K80,000 funding for the aquatic sport last Friday.

BSP chief executive officer Ian Clyne, after acknowledging the outstanding successes of swimming last year, presented PNGSI with the cheque.

“We are proud to support the development of swimming from programmes that propel young athletes to the elite level,” Clyne said.

BSP has been sponsoring PNG swim teams since the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England.

Clyne reiterated BSP’s support towards swimming, and other codes, with particular emphasis on children’s health and well-being.

“We have found that wherever the programmes we support have reached, it has made incredible difference to both the participants and the stakeholders involved and much of the success is due to the dedication of organisations such as PNG Swimming,” he said.

PNGSI president Elizabeth Wells said the funding would enable PNGSI to surge ahead with programmes that benefit young PNG swimmers, by developing them from the learn-to-swim programmes to the elite level.

“The sponsorship has allowed our national aquatic excellence programme Kundu silver and gold target squad athletes to experience international competition and further developing them into fine athletes and ambassadors for PNG,” Wells said.

She added that PNGSI was looking forward to a strong sporting partnership with BSP in the coming years and was committed to providing athletes, their coaches and officials a strong foundation for development.

“2011 will bring education programmes for our coaches and technical officials, athletes and teachers in the community with the holding of various workshops and camps,” she said.  

PNG swim star Ryan Pini was on hand to witness the occasion, using the opportunity to encourage aspiring young swimmers, encouraging them to strive for excellence.