Games need funding

THE Grassroots to Gold seminar was told that the PNG Sports Federation and Olympics Committee (PNGSFOC) and the PNG Sports Foundation are in dire needs of funds to host the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby.
PNGSFOC senior vice-president Mel Donald told affiliates, stakeholders and participants at Ela Beach Hotel on Saturday that time was against the two sport organisations.
The seminar attracted representatives from all national sporting federations and administrators.
The Grassroots to Gold is to identify and develop talents for Team PNG for the 2015 Port Moresby Games that will leave a positive sustainable legacy of strengthened sporting pathways for Papua New Guineans.
She said PNGSOFC needed K1.2 billion to host the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby including upgrading existing facilities in Port Moresby.
Donald said the PNGSFOC had complied with and completed all necessary administrative requirements and planning but it was the financing – which the government is obligated to ensure – that was of great concern.
She said the funding aspect of the Pacific Games would determine whether PNG host or cancel the Games because Port Moresby needed massive funding to set up world class sporting infrastructures and accommodation.
The major components that would make a Games viable are the establishment of a national outdoor stadium, aquatic centre and indoor stadium, and the Games village.
“These major facilities need funding from the government and external partners to be built within three years before the Games commence,” Donald said.
Donald said with time running out, the only hope for funding was from the national government in the November budget otherwise the PNGSFOC would have no option but to cancel the 2015 Pacific Games.
The government recently passed the 2015 Pacific Games Authority Act which was certified on Sept 6, but, the speaker has yet to formerly sign the document.
Furthermore, the Act has to come in a form of submission to the NEC secretariat through the Sports Minister.
They will then direct the first legislative counsel to draw up the commencement of operation notice which is then signed by the Governor General and published in the National Gazette to complete the certification and commencement process.