Elite talent awarded with scholarships

FIVE Team Papua New Guinea athletes were awarded scholarships under the International Olympic Committee (IOC) which will assist them to qualify and compete in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
PNG Olympic Committee president Sir John Dawanincura said the athletes were selected on merit.
The scholarship recipients are Morea Baru (weightlifting), Rellie Kaputin (athletics), John Ume (boxing), Sharon Toako (athletics) and Ryan Maskelyne (swimming).
This is the second time that Kaputin and Baru have been awarded the scholarship after receiving the same support for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Ume and Maskelyne are first-time recipients along with Toako who is working towards earning her Olympic Games debut for 2024.
“The scholarship covers training, lead-up competitions, coaching, equipment and qualification events,” Sir John said.
“It will help the athletes pursue their dream to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games.
“Maskelyne and Morea have already began preparations in Australia.
“We are working to get Rellie and Sharon to join their coaches down south.
“We have plans to have John (Ume) gain further sparring and competition experience in international camps.
“But his travel and participation is subject to Coronavirus travel restrictions.”
Sir John said the athletes would continue preparations for the upcoming Pacific Mini Games and Commonwealth Games.
“The committee and IOC support gender equality,” he said.
“We will continue supporting the athletes with their coaches and national federations to prepare and meet their qualifications.”