Be good ambassadors

By HENRY MORABANG
SPORTS Minister Sali Subam has urged all members of Team PNG to be good ambassadors of the country while competing at the XIV Pacific Games in New Caledonia begining this weekend.
Subam urged all 450 athletes and officials at the farewell function at Sir John Guise Indoor Complex hosted by Team PNG major sponsor, Digicel, to be good ambassadors by showing respect to the people, property and the way of life in the host country.
“I demand the best behaviour from all athletes and officials,” Subam said while wishing the contingent all the best in their respective sports.
He said the private sector, the government and the people of Papua New Guinea expected the best from the athletes both on and off the field.
Subam said PNG was sending one of the biggest teams that would take part in the 25 of the 27 sports on offer.
“We as competitors from PNG must embrace the game, and compete to the best of our ability in whatever sports we are taking part,” the Minister said.
He commended the corporate sector, the national government and individual team sponsors for supporting  PNG’s largest team to the Pacific Games.
Subam said the corporate sector, government and individual sponsors had made a large commitment to send athletes, and it was on them to return the faith the best results by winning a medals with winning gold a bonus.
Subam said he would brief the Pacific Games sports ministers meeting in Noumea on the latest in PNG’s preparations towards the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby.
During the farewell ceremony, the Athletes’ Commission representative Mona Lisa Leka announced veteran hurdler Mowen Boino would be the flag bearer during the opening ceremony on Saturday.
Team PNG major sponsor Digicel chief executive officer John Mangos speaking on behalf of the corporate backers said the support for Team PNG was to give its athletes every opportunity to perform at their best and win medals and promote PNG as a powerhouse in the region.
“We want to see if the money put towards the preparation of the team and individuals can produce good results in terms of medals,” he said.
Chef de Mission Tamzin Wardley said the athletes were aware of the expectations and the amount of support and they would strive to pay back the strong support with medal-winning performances.