ESP athletes getting ready

By PATRICIA KEAMO
EAST Sepik athletics coordinator and coach Malcolm Limbai says his athletes are preparing for the end-of-year PNG Air National Athletics Championships and the Papua New Guinea Games.
Last month, the province fielded six athletes in the Highlands-Mamose championships at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands.
Limbai told The National that his team’s performance was satisfactory and they were building towards the nationals.
“We brought six junior and senior male athletes to Goroka for the middle distance (800m and 1,500m) events and sprints,” he said.
“They did fine in the Highlands-Mamose championships, (we saw) some good performances from them.
“The reason we brought them up to the regionals was to get them to gain confidence.
“From there, we can build them towards the national championships.”
Meanwhile, Limbai said East Sepik had more than 50 athletes training at Sir Michael Somare Stadium in Wewak.
He said this was in preparation for the end-of-year nationals and the PNG Games, which will be held in Southern Highlands.
“We are planning to have a provincial athletics festival,” Limbai said.
“We also have the district games coming up (in preparation) for the PNG Games. Because we have the new structure (by the provincial government) in place, sports have their own office, separate from culture and tourism.
“The sports office is headed by acting director Immanuel ToMarum.
“Sports in the province will be fine as we have support from the Office of the East Sepik Governor.”