Forum plots gold course

THE PNG Sports Foundation and PNG Games are conducting a one-day workshop for all national sporting federations at Ela Beach Hotel in Port Moresby on Saturday. 
Acting chief executive officer Iam­mo Launa said the purpose of this was to discuss linkages between the two initiatives, Grassroots to Gold by the PNG Sports Foundation and Go for Gold by PNG Sports Federation Olympic Committee respectively.
“It will provide an opportunity for further consultation and strengthening our partnership with the national sports federations for an effective delivery of this concept in preparation for 2015 Pacific Games and beyond,” she said.
She said the workshop would further discuss practical strategies with its key partners in national sports federations, which will create development pathways for our human resources (sports administrators, coaches, technical officials) and importantly the athletes.
The foundation intended to conduct a baseline survey to identify needs and provide further capacity building.
The workshop will use this opportunity to evaluate the challenges on the 5th PNG Games held in Kokopo, East New Britain.
There will be discussions on the way forward on the roles of national federations in capacity building, officiating, recognition and retention of key officials.
Iammo said it was hoped that during the workshop a practical structure would be put in place for all stakeholders to help in delivering the implementation of the Talent Identification Programme and Go of Gold nationwide as well as understanding the roles of national sporting federations in the next PNG Games.
The games in Lae will be followed by the Pacific Games in 2015.