Five inductees for hall of fame

By HENRY MORABANG
TWO weightlifters are among the second batch of five local sports icons to be inducted into the PNG Sports Hall of Fame next month.
The other former athletes are from swimming, athletics and boxing.
When announcing this yesterday, PNG Olympic Committee secretary-general Auvita Rapilla said the five athletes would be inducted into the hall of fame on Nov 26.
The induction ceremony will be held at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby and televised live on NBC TV.
“Their endeavours made them champions, time made them legends. Etched forever in Papua New Guinea’s sporting history, they are now being immortalised in the PNG Sports Hall of Fame,” Rapilla said.
She said the names of the five athletes would not be revealed at this stage.
This is the second hall of fame induction by PNGOC and Rapilla said from this year, it would become an annual occasion to honour former PNG athletes and officials who have made significant contributions to sports through their achievements over the years.
“PNGOC holds the achievements of our athletes in high regard because we understand the struggles, commitment and sacrifices they faced to get to where they are,” Rapilla said.
“These achievements shape the sporting history of our country and we recognise this by honouring the individuals who have done it over a period.”
The first Hall of Fame induction was held in 2011 as part of PNGOC’s 50th anniversary.
The first two inducted then were Sir John Kaputin and Edward Laboran, who were members of the first team from the Territory of Papua and New Guinea to the British Empire Games, which is now known as the Commonwealth Games, in Perth, in 1962.
Sir John was an inspirational figure in athletics, who was one of the first nationals to represent his nation competing among expatriates.
Laboran was also PNG’s first medallist at the first South Pacific Games in Suva, winning a gold medal in the high jump event. Sir John shares a lot of memories and experiences of the early years of sports in Papua New Guinea and will be the guest speaker at this year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
“We are delighted and honoured to have Sir John Kaputin, one of our first Hall of Fame inductees to be the guest speaker at the event this year and we look forward to seeing the five new inductees who will be joining them as PNG’s sporting legends,” Rapilla said.
Great sportsmen and women have come and gone through the years and the PNG Sports Hall of Fame aims to capture the best moments of their careers and immortalise them in a recognition that will echo through the ages.
Following set criteria, notable athletes going back to the very first team in 1962, will be inducted every year.
Limited spaces are available so those wishing to purchase tickets for the event can contact the PNG Olympic Committee on 323 0114 or 325 1411 or email [email protected]. The tickets are going for K3000.