Codes told to justify 2015 spots

THE PNG Sports Federation and Olympic Committee (PNGSFOC) has reminded all optional sports of the Pacific Games to submit their justification reports for inclusion in the 2015 Pacific Games sports programme.
The deadline is Jan 31.
In its capacity as the PNG Pacific Games Association (PNGPGA) to the Pacific Games Council the PNGSFOC through a circular from secretary general Auvita Rapilla informed national sports federations of this requirement in early November last year with an initial deadline of Dec 31, 2011.
However this deadline was subsequently extended to the the end of this month to allow more time for sports to complete their justification reports.
The Pacific Games optional sports that are undergoing this justification process are archery, billiards, body building, boxing, cricket, hockey, judo, karate, lawn bowls, netball, powerlifting, rugby league, sailing, shooting, snooker, softball, squash, surfing, taekwondo, touch rugby and triathlon.
From the 21 sports listed the PNGPGA will select only 16 optional sports to be included in the 2015 Pacific Games sports programme.
Sports have been requested to focus on the following criteria when developing their justification report:
l Participation level across PNG;
l Legacy of the sport after the Games;
l Cost and details of facilities and equipment required;
l Gold medal potential;
l Completion of the annual Sports Assessment Tool (RAT) and submission of all required documentation to the PNGPGA, including the AGM minutes and strategic plans;
l Development plans of the sport;
l Development squad for actual participation in 2015;
l Expectation of number of countries that will participate for both men’s and women’s events;
l What the sport can add to the 2015 Pacific Games experience and;
l Level of experience and training of officials for your sport.
The PNGPGA will be advising the Pacific Games Council of the selected optional sports at the end of next month.
For any queries all sports have been asked to contact sports development manager, Andrew Lepani of the PNGSFOC.