Event for qualification, ranking

 THE Pacific Games Council in helping put together the XV Pacific Games along with the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee and have focussed more on making it a Games for the athletes.

Committee executive director Andrew Minogue said that part of their business plan was to provide benefits for athletes and their programmes.

“A number of sports are being used as qualification or ranking events at the Games which from the executive board’s perspective is a very successful initiative,” Minogue said.  “We’ve had Olympic Games first-stage qualification for Rio 2016 in weightlifting, men’s football and others, including taekwondo this week..

“Tonga, though finishing third in the rugby union sevens, has qualified for the Hong Kong  Sevens next year.

“Basketball is using the event as a qualifier to the FIBA 2019 World Cup for men and women. 

Minogue said there was a lot of value being added to the athletes and their performances in Port Moresby.