Central finish on top

By HENRY MORABANG
PRIME Minister and Sports Minister Peter O’Neill declared Central as the winners of the 2017 BSP PNG Games in Kimbe on Saturday.
Central, who had been playing second fiddle to Morobe and Team NCD, won 50 gold, 34 silver and 23 bronze medals to finish ahead of NCD with 41 gold, 30 silver and 32 bronze medals.
Defending champions Morobe were relegated to third spot with 30 gold, 31 silver and 32 bronze medals.
O’Neill congratulated Team Central and invited them to Southern Highlands who will be hosting the 2020 Games.
Central deputy governor Desmond Waira accepted the invitation, stating that Central were the first to put their hands up to attend the Games in Mendi, Southern Highlands.
“As defending champions, we will attend the 2020 PNG Games in Southern Highlands,” he declared after his team won the PNG
Games for the first time after six attempts.
Waira said Team Central had been putting a lot of effort in the last six years in an attempt to win the Games but had little success.
“Winning the PNG Games championships tag is incredible,” he said.
Waira gave credit to Governor Robert Agorobe, provincial administrator Gei Raga and the hard working team management and players for the big win over archrivals NCD and Morobe province,” he said.
The deputy governor said they did not send the full team of 600 athletes but half of the team which took part in the 16 codes and to finish top was something good for the people of Central.
“We all worked hard in the short period leading to the Games and winning the cup is so sweet for Central province.”
Waira thanked the communities of Section 10 and Kimbe Primary School and also the people of West New Britain for their Pasin West hospitality.