Fun run organisers condemn attacks on volunteers, media

THE Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee, initiator of the annual Trukai Fun Run event and the naming rights sponsor, Trukai Industries condemned the attack on St John Ambulance, media personnel and volunteers during the 2018 Trukai Fun Run held in Port Moresby on Sunday.
The St John Ambulance team was raided by opportunists along the Spring Garden Rd while they were setting up to provide emergency response assistance for the event.
“This incident is unacceptable and we are very disappointed that an organisations that has been an immense support to the residents of Port Moresby were attacked and treated this way,” the PNG Olympic Committee and Trukai Industries said in a joint statement yesterday.
The organising committee is also aware of two other similar incidents during the event on different groups of volunteers along the route.
PNG Olympic Committee president Sir John Dawanincura said the goal of the Fun Fun was to bring families together right across the country for an enjoyable sport-for-all family event, while also raising funds for Team PNG.
“The PNG Olympic Committee and Trukai Industries with the support of our partners and stakeholders, do our very best every year to ensure that the event is always a safe and enjoyable one for all. It is unfortunate that the actions of a few rogue elements tend to damage all the hard work that is put into it.
“St. John Ambulance have been a great partner of the Fun Run and we appreciate the important service they provide for this event over the years.”
Sir John said despite the unfortunate incidents, it was great to see the majority of the participants enjoy their experience.
“Our organising committee works very hard to ensure that our risk management strategy is a priority,” he said.
Trukai Industries general manager for sales and marketing Andrew Daubney said safety was always the priority for all the participants, volunteers, partners, stakeholders and staff working during the Fun Run.
“This year we had excellent support from all stakeholders especially the disciplinary forces and it is extremely disappointing that there are a few opportunists who have no respect for others or the work St John Ambulance does in the community.
“The media is a key stakeholder and they play a vital role in keeping the community informed and we are also disappointed to hear of the attack on the media personnel who was at the Fun Run to do coverage.
“We have already started working on developing strategies to ensure we reduce the risk in our next event and hope this does not happen again,” Daubney said.