Going for glory

 PAPUA New Guinea’s 138-member team is settling in well at the Glasgow Games Athletes Villages in Dalmarnock, Glasgow, Scotland.

The PNG contingent, along with teams from Fiji and the Falklands Islands, were officially welcomed to Glasgow on Sunday in a flag-raising ceremony.

Team general manager John Susuve said most of the contingent had arrived in the Scottish city last Thursday and were busy preparing for their events as well as the opening ceremony on Thursday 1am PNG time. The country’s marquee names Ryna Pini, Steven Kari, Toea Wisil and Nelson Stone joined the team in the United Kingdom with several US-based athletes on their way to Glasgow.

“Three athletes and one coach for Team Athletics are yet to come. Donna Koniel, Adrine Monagi and Kaminiel Matlaun are USA-based. They and the other coach, Bernard Manau, will join the team in a few days time,” Susuve said.

Susuve, who is at his third Commonwealth Games, said for the majority of the 92 athletes, this was a new experience but the presence of a small senior core of athletes was helping them adjust quickly to the surroundings.

“It took time to adjust to the Scottish weather, especially the daylight hours, with the sun rising at 4am and setting at 11pm – but everybody is adjusting now,” Susuve said of the team, which has been in Glasgow for four days now.

“We’ve told athletes and officials to wear proper clothes to avoid catching colds with the cold nights and rain we had since arriving.”

Susuve said the living and dining facilities afforded were some of the best he had seen.

“The food is excellent. It’s offered 24-hours, but the general management team and team managers, as well as the athletes, have ensured us they will watch what they are eating, including not eating food they are not used to,” Susuve said.

He said he could not give details on the opening ceremony but confirmed what they would be wearing and who the flag-bearer was.

“Due to restrictions set by the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, we will not be chanting anything during the opening ceremony. 

“Our walkout uniform is set. Women will wear a top and matching skirt in yellow and red colours. The men will wear a similar top and a black sulu. 

“Steven Kari is the flag bearer. He was introduced to Team PNG in a meeting on Sunday.”

Susuve said the athletes would be supporting their fellow athletes with songs and chants at games venues and the mood in camp was one of excitement and a few nerves.