Foundation in payment talks

By PATRICIA KEAMO
PAPUA New Guinea Sports Foundation chief executive Albert Veratau says discussions are ongoing with the Government on payment for the usage of its venues for Coronavirus (Covid-19) operations.
He said while they were seeking the return of the Taurama Aquatic Centre and Rita Flynn Indoor Complex, securing their payments was also a priority.
“We’re having the conversation of getting paid first because it has been two years and we haven’t got any payment for the use of the facilities,” Veratau told The National last week.
“That’s a conversation we’re having with the Government.
“There are certain developments that are happening that may free up some of the venues.
“For example the Taurama Aquatic Centre, there hasn’t been much funding given to the St John Ambulance, which has been the main manager of Covid-19 operations there.
“If that’s what’s going to happen then obviously they’re going to scale back on some of their operations.
“By this week, swimming will resume at the centre and that’s another indication.
“But we’re looking at a case by case with the relevant people to say that these venues are not fully utilised then we can consolidate what’s happening.
“Like Rita Flynn for example, there are a few people or hardly anyone there.
“We don’t have individual conversations or case by case conversations, so the actual people or stakeholders see exactly what’s happening.
“In that way, maybe the conversation or decision is going to be easier.
“But if you look at every venue and say that Covid-19 is at its peak, the conversation for each venue is going to be a little bit difficult.”
Meanwhile, with the Pacific Mini Games and the Commonwealth Games coming up next year, the foundation and the PNG Olympic Committee is working on how to accommodate the national athletes’ preparations.
“Swimming is back now, so they (athletes) are going to utilise the centre,” the Sports Foundation boss said.
“There are other sports that are not severely affected, like boxing we’ll find a place for them, weightlifting they have their own place.
“I think what we’ll do is to expand the high performance services.
“Either we set up mobile teams so that they visit the different places or we find a bigger space for the high performance team so they will cater for all the sports.”