Games managers urged to improve

PNG Games council members have been urged to improve their management and organisational skills to boost future sporting performances.
Chairman of the games council Iammo Launa, who was speaking at the closing ceremony last Friday, said improvements were necessary to raise the standard of team management, coaching and other areas.
“Sporting events such as the PNG Games have many benefits as they can increase access to sport and improve participation by able athletes and people living with disabilities,” she said.
“The games offer neutral space for connecting communities and forming partnership, reducing conflicts and breaking down barriers and building trust and peace among people.
“PNG Games also creates pathway for athletes to participate at the highest level.”
Launa said for the first time the Oceania regional anti-doping team conducted training for selected athletes and officials, which was sponsored by the PNG Sports Foundation.
She is also the executive director of the sports foundation.
“PNGSF considers it important to promote awareness on illegal drugs and to educate all athletes at all levels and most importantly in preparation for the 2015 Pacific Games,” she said.
Launa added that provincial athletes had shown talents and potential, which needed to be identified and further developed.
“We want to see more champions and Olympians produced from these games,” she said.
Launa’s statement was supported by Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko: “You all deserve medals as far as I am concerned because you all are champions.”
He said the nine 25-seater buses that were shipped in for the games would be donated to schools that assisted in hosting provincial teams – as directed by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.