Cough it up

THE Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) is yet to receive K3.24 million outstanding government funding paid to the PNG Sports Foundation late last year for Team PNG’s participation in the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
The PNGOC, in a statement yesterday, called on the PNG Sports Foundation (PNGSF) to forward the balance of K3.24 million to the committee.
PNGSF chief executive Albert Veratau did not respond to The National yesterday.
The government last year announced an K8.24mil support package to help the PNGOC and national sports federations cover levy fees and related expenses to compete in the Pacific Games. From that amount, the committee received K4mil with an additional K1mil committed by the National Gaming Control Board to Team PNG.
The committee said in a statement yesterday that K1.965m was directly paid to Air Niugini for the team’s charter flights leaving a balance of K3.24m yet to be paid.
PNGOC president Sir John Dawanincura said due to the delays in the government releasing committed funding for Team PNG last year, PNGOC dipped into its reserves in order to support athletes in their preparations.
“The fact remains that these funds were committed to Team PNG and should be forward to us in order to replenish our reserves and enable PNGOC and our member federations to prepare for the Pacific Mini Games next year in Palau,” Sir John said.
“We do not wish to be in the same position next year chasing funding right up to the departure of the team and therefore call on the PNG Sports Foundation to immediately forward the balance of K3.24 million.
“On Feb 19, we submitted to the PNG Sports Foundation a detailed acquittal on the funds received and we acknowledged our responsibility to ensure that these public funds are properly accounted for.”
Meanwhile, Sir John acknowledged the government, PNG Sports Foundation, Kumul Mineral Holdings and National Gaming Control Board for their support towards Team PNG last year.