GG Sir Bob challenges Team PNG

“ASASUMBA” was the expression that echoed loudly over the Athletes Village yesterday by Team PNG during their flag raising ceremony for the Commonwealth Games.
Meaning “never say die” or “never give up,” from one of the main Morobe dialects, it was the main message to Team PNG from the Governor General Sir Bob Dadae, pictured.
Sir Bob encouraged athletes to be confident in themselves and not be intimidated by other athletes or teams from other countries.
“Be confident. Believe in yourself. Focus on what you came here to do,” Sir Bob said.
“I believe in you.
“You can break records and win medals.
“Some of you have done this before while it is the first time for others.
“You are all champions in your own right.”
He said this is the critical time when the basic things like sleeping on time and eating properly needed to be done right.
Dadae pointed out that Australia was like home to a lot of Papua New Guineans who travel there regularly. A number of PNG athletes have also been based there and nearby in Brisbane for their training and preparations for the Commonwealth Games.
So the atmosphere should not be completely new to them. Sir Bob joined the team for the official flag raising ceremony in the athletes’ village and also visited their office and accommodation areas.
He was impressed with the facilities and encouraged the team to enjoy the experience but also focus on their tasks.
Team PNG chef de mission Tamzin Wardley welcomed Sir Bob saying that it was an honour for the team who had never had a Governor General visit them at the village before.
The flag raising ceremony is the tradition of the Games that welcomes a country into the Village and signals their presence in the Games.
This year’s ceremony featured a performance by the indigenous Australian group who are the traditional landowners of the land where the city of Gold Coast is built on. With the opening ceremony this evening, the rest of Team PNG is expected to have their full complement by this afternoon.
Team PNG flag bearer Vero Nime is scheduled to arrive at the village today.