Central look set to win

Sports

By HENRY MORABANG

WITH four sporting codes remaining on the programme, Central are highly tipped to win the 2017 BSP PNG Games in Kimbe, West New Britain.
As of yesterday afternoon Central surged ahead with 42 gold, 26 silver and 21 bronze medals, beating nearest rivals National Capital District and Morobe.
NCD are on 29 gold, 18 silver and 20 bronze while Morobe won 21 gold, 25 silver and 24 bronze, which put them within range for the number one spot.
The four remaining codes are kickboxing, taekwondo, netball and soccer.
Team Central liaison officer, John Iamo, said weightlifting powered Team Central to the top of the medal tally with 22 gold medals. This has put the Team
Central in a steady position to win the Games.
Iamo, however said the other provinces had done well in other sports and remained competitive until the final event which should give Team Central a good run to the finishing line tomorrow afternoon.
PNG Games Council chairman Peter Tsiamalili Jnr said the chance to win the number one spot had now shifted from traditional titleholders such as Eastern Highlands, NCD and Morobe to other provinces.
He added that it was no longer a social competition but provincial governments provided incentives for their respective teams and the provinces were really working
hard to ensure they win gold medals.
The highlight of yesterday’s events was the dominance by Team Chimbu in the middle and the long distance races.
Chimbu made a clean sweep in the 10,000m, 5,000m and half marathon while NCD dominated the volleyball court taking out gold in both the men’s and the women’s finals.