Chimbu trio steal spotlight

CHIMBU runners Getrude Komba, Sinchila Yomba and Helen Esi stole the spotlight on the opening day of the PNG Games athletics competition over the weekend with the trio winning all medals in the 10,000m
The athletics competition had a checked start on Saturday with Athletics PNG senior coach Philip Kamane saying team listings, some equipment and several technical officials were not available but that did not stop the track competition from getting underway with long distance events.
The competition also attracted the biggest crowds to the Muthuvel Stadium.
Athletics competition manager Samu Sasamu said the majority of runners were barefoot and that showed that many of the competitors were truly “grassroots” competitors.
Sasamu, who is assisting Kamane to run the athletics competition said: “The barefoot Jiwaka girls Toea Wisil was identified in the same manner and went on to become the sprint queen in the Pacific region.”
Annie Iamo, the sport competition manager for netball was satisfied with the opening day of the netball competition.
Three Southern region provinces Milne Bay, NCD and Central proved a level above the rest of the field but East New Britain were competitive in their matches.
In softball, ENB were crowned women’s champions.
The new softball queens take over Games softball mantle from New Ireland who did not attend.
Softball competition manager Moses Tolingling confirmed last night that ENB — both women and men won gold medals with a game in hand.
The Madang and hosts WNB will playoff for the silver and bronze medals today in the competition’s league format.
The soccer competition finals format was deliberated by the PNG Games technical committee who decided on a top-two from the two pools to playoff for medals.
Soccer competition manager Simon Koima was overruled by the Games compliance committee in his attempt to modify the finals format.
The soccer competition is expected to resume at the PNGFA Academy at Gigo and the Hoskins stadium today.
Touch football returns to Sarakolok Oval at Mosa where the men’s and women’s open competitions kick off. Touch competition manager Alphonse Joffey was optimistic that the competitions would proceed without a hitch.
Weightlifting held its presentation at Kimbe Secondary School while Karate will continue their competition at Hoskins High School.