C’weath Games baton expected in Kimbe

The National Sports

In two days, the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay will arrive from Tuvalu, the 65th of its 71 Commonwealth destinations.
PNG will play an important role in the relay when it welcomes the baton, providing the opportunity to share the dream of the Gold Coast Games.
The Queen’s Baton Relay is the traditional curtainraiser to the Commonwealth Games and had been an integral part of the Games programme since the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games in Wales.
The relay began at Buckingham Palace on March 13, with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II sending the baton on its journey around the Commonwealth.
PNG Commonwealth Games Association president Sir John Dawanincura said they were delighted that PNG was granted the honour of hosting the Queen’s Baton Relay.
“Hosting the Queen’s Baton Relay was not only an exciting event for PNG, the relay is an opportunity to highlight and promote our country through international media interest,” Sir John said.
Secretary-General Auvita Rapilla said preparations were almost complete to celebrate the arrival of the Queen’s Baton Relay.
“We look forward to seeing the baton arrive on PNG shores and having it visit Kimbe for the closing ceremony of the PNG Games, allowing our athletes from across the country to be a part of this fantastic occasion,” Rapilla said.
The baton will be in PNG from Dec 1-5. After arriving in Port Moresby on Dec 1, the baton will transit straight to Kimbe for the closing ceremony of the PNG Games.
Prior to making its appearance at the closing ceremony, the baton will pay a visit to iconic sights of Kimbe town including the New Britain Palm Oil plantation.
It will then make its way to town where baton bearers will take it through the streets of Kimbe towards the Muthuvel Stadium.
The baton returns to Port Moresby where it will be at several events including a business breakfast, school sports events as well as an event hosted by the Australian High Commission.
The visit will culminate with the governor-general hosting a sunset reception.