Games silver medallists continue their education

ATHLETICS Papua New Guinea (APNG) has assisted Pacific Games silver medallists Siune Kagl and Mary Tenge to study at Utmei Secondary School in East New Britain (ENB).
APNG president Tony Green said the national athletics governing body had assisted Chimbu distance runners as the pair were facing an uncertainty over their studies.
He said Kagl and Tenge were joined by long-distance runners Monica Kalua and Israel Takap, who are from the Duke of York Island.
The four join national coach Benard Manau at Utmei Secondary School.
“We thought it made sense to have the four athletes training with coach Bernard Manau,” Green said.
“Helping to get athletes into a good training environment is part of our planning process for future tournaments and ENB has an inter-high school athletics programme that is probably the best in the country.
“Having the athletes in a remote location away from the distractions of city life also gives them every opportunity to do well in their studies.”
Green thanked major sponsor PNG Air for providing free air travel for Kagl and Tenge from Lae to Rabaul.
He said APNG was happy to assist the athletes as they had demonstrated their value to the national athletics team through their hard work and commitment last year.
Kagl won silver in the 10,000m at last year’s Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa, and was fourth in the 5,000m after posting a number of consistent performances in both events.
Tenge won silver in the 5,000m and the 3,000m steeplechase with fellow PNG athlete Poro Gahekave winning gold in both events.