Games funding slashed

 By NATASHA APUTI

THE sixth Papua New Guinea Games Host Organising Committee (HOC)   officials have confirmed that the K10 million funding from the National Government to help with the upgrading of sporting facilities has been slashed to K7.5 million.

Media and marketing officer David Harro confirmed on Tuesday that the games organisers would be getting K2.5 million less than what they were intially promised.

Despite having a shortfall in money for the refurbishment and upgrading of facilities, Harro said adjustments had been made in order for the venues and other necessary infrastructure to be completed to a satisfactory level but some would miss out.

Harro said it was still unclear why  the funding had been reduced.   

“For reasons unknown the amount (funding for PNG Games) has been decreased. Unfortunately, this means certain infrastructures will be missing out on the facelift,” Harro said.

“We are looking at upgrading four to five main venues that are already in a decent state when we receive the funding. 

“But if we do not receive the funding then we can only do cleaning and light maintenance”.

Harro confirmed that currently the Sir John Guise Stadium was having extensive repair work because the state under the PNG Sports Foundation had already  allocated K8.5 million alone for the stadium’s maintenance.

“For the other sporting infrastructures we are still waiting for the K7.5 million to be released to us so we can start work on them,” Harro said.

HOC committee chairman Phil Franklin said that funding from the government would be released shortly. 

Sources have confirmed that due to the current government turmoil the cheque signing has been delayed.

Franklin said that all paper work related to the games and teams in order and said that all 22 provinces had confirmed their participation.

“Accommodation, venues and transportation requirements have already been arranged,” Franklin said. 

“We’ve organised 100 shuttle buses that will be picking athletes and their officials from accommodation areas and dropping off at sporting venues across Lae. All accommodation areas will be  within the city limits.

“We are now calling on those teams who are yet to pay their accommodation fees to do so promptly so that we can get it sorted out as early as possible.”